Amaravati, March 6: The Andhra Pradesh police interrogated former MP Raghu Ramakrishna Raju, who currently serves as the Deputy Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Assembly, regarding allegations of torture during custody. The questioning of Bihar cadre IPS officer M. Sunil Kumar Naik lasted approximately seven hours on Thursday.
Sunil Kumar Naik was questioned by Superintendent of Police A.R. Damodhar from Vizianagaram, who is the investigating officer in this case. The interrogation took place at the Central Crime Station in Guntur.
Naik is scheduled to appear again before the investigating officer on Friday. As per the directives of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, he is required to present himself daily from March 5 to March 9. The court granted interim protection while instructing him to comply with the investigation.
On February 23, the Andhra Pradesh police arrested Sunil Naik in Patna for failing to respond to a notice to appear for questioning. However, a Patna court rejected the police’s request for a transit warrant. Subsequently, the police contacted a Guntur court, which issued an arrest warrant on February 26.
Following this, the IPS officer filed for anticipatory bail in the High Court. His lawyer argued that the case against him was politically motivated.
The court was informed that Sunil Naik’s name was not mentioned in the FIR, and the petitioner had only arrested Raju in connection with a case in Hyderabad, later transferring him to Guntur. Naik denied involvement in any custodial torture.
Justice Venkata Jyotirmayi Pratap instructed the IPS officer to appear before the investigating officer on March 5 or earlier, and again on March 9 for the next hearing.
Raghu Ramakrishna Raju was allegedly tortured in police custody in 2021 when the YSR Congress Party was in power. Raju, then an MP, was arrested for allegedly making derogatory remarks against the then Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Elected to the Lok Sabha in 2019 from Narsapuram on a YSRCP ticket, Raju later became a rebel. He was arrested on May 14, 2021, at his home in Hyderabad for speaking against the government and allegedly inciting communal unrest in the state.
Ahead of the 2024 elections, Raju joined the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and was elected to the Assembly. The TDP-led coalition appointed him as Deputy Speaker.
Sunil Naik, who was serving as the DIG of the Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (CID) on deputation, is set to return to Bihar in 2024.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
Leave a Comment