Umesh Reddy, the serial rapist and killer had been accused of more than 20 crimes in a span of 6 years across 3 states, Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra, but got convicted in only 9 of those cases, while he got acquitted in other cases due to lack of sufficient evidence pointing to his involvement in those crimes. Umesh Reddy confessed to killing 18 women. Investigators however say he has raped and killed at least 21 women. Reddy targeted lone homemakers, gaining entry into their houses on the pretext of asking for water or directions. At knife-point, he would force them to remove their clothes, tie them up, choke them and sexually assault them while they were unconscious. To throw police off-track, he would remove the victims’ jewellery after he killed them to make it appear like a robbery. He was first convicted by the Bangalore city fast track court in the case of rape and murder back in 26th October 2006 (5407 days dated 15th August 2021), and a death sentence had been awarded. After several dismissals of his mercy petitions, be it in a higher court, Honourable Supreme Court and the Honourable President of India, till date, his hanging is 'hanging in the balance', delaying, if not denying the justice to the victims and their families. He continues to be in jail, having 3 meals a day, may not be even concerned about the date of his execution. But, doesn't it send a wrong message to the society? There's always media glare and public outrage if there are fresh cases coming out from one of the corners of the country. The fire will be glowing for a few days and each time it happens, the past of the horror days of the victims and their families returns to haunt them, and also, a glimmer of hope resides in them hoping that they would get justice in their cases. But, Umesh Reddy continues to enjoy the jail benefits as the case is pending before a Supreme Court bench since 2013. 8 years have passed. Let us hope that the Honourable Supreme Court takes up this case and other such cases where the guilty needs to be served their penalty and justice prevails. JAI HIND!