Sai Krishna custodial death probe deepens; 2 head constables suspended; hunt intensifies as high court hearing nears

Vijayawada: The investigation into the alleged disappearance and custodial murder of history-sheeter Gade Sai Krishna has gathered pace, with Vijayawada police commissioner SV Rajasekhara Babu suspending two Krishnalanka police station head constables, who have been named as accused in the case.Head constables Ashok and Jangam Nani were suspended after the special investigation team (SIT) found their alleged involvement in helping former circle inspector Nagaraju cover up the case following Sai Krishna’s disappearance. The duo has been absconding since Nagaraju’s arrest and remains untraceable. Police teams believe that their arrest could provide crucial clues in unravelling the alleged custodial death and the subsequent disappearance of Sai Krishna’s body.The SIT has filed a memo before the city’s II additional judicial first class magistrate court, naming Ashok, Nani, and Nagaraju’s close aide Suresh as the accused in the case. Investigators have also issued a production memo directing police to arrest the absconding constables and produce them before the SIT.As the investigation widens, the SIT has reportedly identified nearly 10 persons, closely associated with Nagaraju, for questioning.

Suresh, who is suspected of having helped Nagaraju dispose of Sai Krishna’s body, is already in SIT custody. Several police personnel, including task force constable Muralikrishna, Krishnalanka constable Babu Rao, a station head constable, and a home guard, have also been questioned over the past few days.The SIT has also questioned south ACP Manasa regarding the sequence of events after Sai Krishna went missing and the internal inquiry conducted by police.Meanwhile, the probe has reached a crucial stage ahead of Monday’s hearing in the Andhra Pradesh high court on the habeas corpus petition filed by Sai Krishna’s mother Vijayalakshmi, seeking to trace her son. SIT officials have also met the director of prosecutions to review the progress of the investigation and finalise the status report to be submitted before the high court.