In a significant development concerning the alleged custodial death of 25-year-old Gade Sai Krishna, two head constables, Ashok and Nani, turned themselves in at the Suryaraopet ACP office. The duo, who were stationed at Krishnalanka police station, had been evading authorities following the arrest of suspended Circle Inspector S.S.V.V. Nagaraju. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the case revealed that the two head constables were aiding Nagaraju.
The SIT apprehended Nagaraju on June 23, and a city court subsequently remanded him to judicial custody until July 8. Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh High Court postponed the hearing on a Habeas Corpus petition filed by Sai Krishna’s mother, Vijaya Lakshmi, to Tuesday. The SIT submitted a preliminary report to the High Court detailing the registered case and the progress made thus far. Allegations of wrongful confinement, murder, and tampering with evidence are being probed against the suspended SHO.
On June 19, a case was filed under relevant sections of Bharat Nyaya Sanhita based on a complaint by Sai Krishna’s mother, alleging torture and death in custody. The SIT informed the lower court that Sai Krishna succumbed to injuries inflicted while in custody, with deliberate deletion of CCTV footage at the police station. Sai Krishna, who had pending cases and warrants, was taken into custody on May 6 and later went missing after being unlawfully detained at Krishnalanka police station.
Efforts to conceal the lock-up death included moving Sai Krishna’s body to an undisclosed location, with attempts to bury or cremate it. The SIT is actively investigating the whereabouts of the body. The investigative team, led by Inspector General M. Ravi Prakash, includes members from various law enforcement agencies, with Bapatla district Additional SP L. Sudhakar serving as the investigation officer.
