On February 17, 2026, the Supreme Court ruled that Telugu actress Pratyusha’s death in 2002 was not due to strangulation or rape, as alleged by her mother. Justices Manoj Misra and Manmohan stated that it would be "difficult" at this late stage to claim strangulation as the cause. The court found "overwhelming" eye-witness and medical evidence proving poisoning as the true cause of death. The defence’s claim of accidental poison consumption was rejected. The court confirmed that abetment by purchasing neurontone led to her death. Justice Manmohan said the charge of rape against accused G. Siddartha Reddy, who was reportedly in a relationship with Pratyusha, was not proven. The prosecution revealed that both had made a pact to end their lives together. Pratyusha died in hospital, but Siddartha survived. Justice Manmohan declared, "the surviving partner in a ritual suicide pact is legally culpable." The court ordered Siddartha Reddy to surrender within four weeks.