Police begin inquiry into Sai Krishna’s alleged custodial death

A team of police officers on Friday visited the Krishnalanka police station as part of the inquiry into the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna (25), who was reportedly picked up by the police on May 9.

Forty-one days after Sai Krishna was allegedly taken into custody by the Krishnalanka police, the NTR Police on June 19 registered a case against the then Circle Inspector, Nagaraju.

The inquiry team, led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Prasad, visited Sai Krishna’s residence and recorded the statements of his mother, Gade Vijaya Lakshmi, and other family members.

The officers later visited the Krishnalanka police station and questioned the staff regarding the incident.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee (APCLC) demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged custodial death and the disposal of the body. In a statement, APCLC State Joint Secretary T. Anjaneyulu demanded that cases be registered against the NTR Police Commissioner and other officers who allegedly abetted the actions of the police personnel at the Krishnalanka police station.

APCLC State General Secretary Chiluka Chandrashekar urged the government to register cases against all police personnel allegedly involved in torturing Sai Krishna in custody and suspend them immediately to ensure a fair inquiry.

‘Book SC/ST Act case’

Human Rights Forum (HRF) State General Secretary Y. Rajesh and Secretary G. Rohit demanded that the government register a case under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, in connection with the alleged torture of Perupogu Kranthi Kumar, which they said led to his death.

A two-member HRF team met Kranthi Kumar’s family in Vijayawada and inquired into the circumstances leading to his suicide. According to Mr. Rohit, the victim’s father, Venkateswara Rao, alleged that persistent harassment by Krishnalanka Circle Inspector Nagaraju drove his son to take the extreme step. He demanded action against all police personnel allegedly responsible for Kranthi Kumar’s death.