Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh), June 18 (PTI) YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday demanded a CBI probe into the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna, accusing senior police officials of being involved in a cover-up.
He also said that mere suspension of a police officer was an insufficient action.
The case relates to 23-year-old Krishna of Vijayawada, who allegedly went missing after being taken into police custody in May. Over the past few days, the case has triggered widespread public attention and political reactions across Andhra Pradesh.
His family has accused Krishna Lanka police inspector Nagaraju of torturing him to death and clandestinely cremating his body without informing relatives. The allegations came to light after Krishna’s mother repeatedly searched for him, approached senior police officials and later moved court, prompting the government to order a probe into the matter.
“This is one of the most heart-touching incidents that could take place. Krishna was tortured to death in a police station. Whatever crime he may have committed, is it the duty of the police to kill him?” Reddy asked.
“If police start killing youngsters, what then is the role of the courts? This case warrants a CBI inquiry, and everyone involved, from the Circle Inspector to senior police officials who helped cover up the incident, must be brought to book,” Jagan told reporters.
The former chief minister, who met Krishna’s mother in Vijayawada, described the case as one of the “most heart-rending incidents” and linked it to another case in which a youth allegedly died by suicide in May after accusing Nagaraju of prolonged harassment in a video message.
According to the former CM, Krishna was required to be produced before a court for failing to attend court proceedings, and the police should have presented him before the judiciary.
Alleging custodial torture, Jagan claimed that the victim was subjected to severe abuse in custody and cited reports that his fingernails had been pulled out.
He alleged that lawyers and others visiting the police station informed the family about the ‘assault’.
The YSRCP supremo said Krishna’s mother had been visiting the police station almost every day from May 9 to June 2, pleading with police personnel to allow her to see her son. Despite allegedly hearing her son’s cries while he was being beaten, she was repeatedly denied access, he claimed.
Jagan further alleged that complaints submitted by the family to senior police officials, including the Police Commissioner and the DGP, failed to elicit any response. According to YSRCP supremo, even written representations submitted by relatives, including a lawyer in the family, were ignored.
He alleged that it was only after the mother filed a habeas corpus petition on June 2 and received support from NGOs and civil society groups that the case came into public focus.
Criticising the government’s response, Jagan said the suspension of the circle inspector was merely a temporary measure and reflected an attempt to shield those responsible.
“The CI is only an instrument who executed the task. Everybody involved, from the CI and right up to the DGP, who were part of covering up this operation, should be taken to task,” he said.
The opposition leader alleged that officials ranging from the circle inspector to senior police leadership were aware of the developments and questioned why stronger action had not been taken despite the seriousness of the allegations.
He further claimed that the recent suspension order was triggered only after court directions requiring that the youth be produced before the judiciary.
Alleging that the case reflected a broader pattern of “hush crimes” in Andhra Pradesh, Jagan said his party would pursue the issue before all appropriate forums, including the courts, and continue pressing for a CBI investigation. PTI MS STH ADB
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