Vijayawada, June 23: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the custodial death of a 25-year-old man in Vijayawada has detained suspended police officer Nagaraju on Tuesday.
Two days prior, the Andhra Pradesh government formed a four-member SIT, which apprehended Nagaraju from his residence in Singh Nagar. He was subsequently taken to a police guesthouse for questioning.
During Nagaraju’s detention, a large group of his supporters gathered outside his home, holding placards and chanting slogans, demanding the government withdraw the case against him. To prevent any untoward incidents, a significant number of police personnel were deployed in the area.
This action is part of the investigation led by the SIT, established by the state government two days ago. The team is headed by Inspector General of Police (Law and Order) M. Ravi Prakash, who is examining the case of the missing Sai Krishna and the circumstances surrounding his death in custody.
The SIT includes Adnan Naeem Asmi, Superintendent of Police from West Godavari, Amit Bardar, Superintendent of Police from Alluri Sitarama Raju district, and L. Sudhakar, Additional Superintendent of Police from Bapatla district.
On Monday, the SIT recorded statements from Sai Krishna’s mother, Gade Vijayalakshmi, and other family members. The team also visited the Krishna Lanka police station, where Sai Krishna was taken before his disappearance. Officials reviewed the station’s records and interrogated approximately 11 police officers who were on duty at that time to ascertain what transpired after Sai Krishna’s arrival.
The SIT is investigating allegations against the suspended officer, including illegal detention, murder, and destruction of evidence.
On June 19, a case was registered based on Gade Vijayalakshmi’s complaint, in which she alleged that her son was tortured and killed while in police custody. According to her, police had taken Sai Krishna into custody on May 9 for questioning related to a case. She claims he was held illegally at the station and subjected to torture.
Vijayalakshmi further alleged that the body of Sai Krishna was cremated at Swargapuri Electric Crematorium to destroy evidence. She filed a habeas corpus petition in the High Court, which ordered the Krishna Lanka police to produce Sai Krishna by June 15. When the police failed to comply, the High Court directed them to present him in court by June 29.
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