Judiciary – Andhra Pradesh High Court Seeks IPS Officer’s Stand in Custodial Torture Case
Judiciary – The Andhra Pradesh High Court has asked senior IPS officer Sunil Naik to clearly state whether he plans to surrender in connection with a case involving allegations of custodial torture against former Member of Parliament and current Deputy Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly, Kanumuru Raghu Ramakrishna Raju.
During the hearing of Naik’s anticipatory bail plea, Justice Yadavalli Lakshmana Rao indicated that surrendering before the investigating authorities could be the most appropriate course of action. The court directed the officer to clarify his position and decide whether he intends to surrender or continue challenging the case through legal proceedings.
Court Makes Strong Observations
While examining the matter, the High Court made significant observations regarding the seriousness of the allegations. Justice Rao noted that any alleged assault on a sitting Member of Parliament carries wider constitutional implications and cannot be viewed lightly.
The court also observed that the accusations surrounding the alleged custodial torture of Raghu Ramakrishna Raju were already known to the petitioner. In view of the circumstances presented during the hearing, the judge expressed reluctance to extend protection from arrest at this stage of the case.
Defense Requests Additional Time
Representing the IPS officer, legal counsel requested more time to obtain instructions from his client regarding the next steps. The defense informed the court that a final decision on surrender or further legal action could be taken only after consulting the officer.
Accepting the request, the High Court granted additional time and postponed further consideration of the matter until Friday. The adjournment is expected to allow the petitioner to communicate his position before the court resumes hearing the case.
Background of the Case
The case was registered by the Nagarampalem Police in Guntur following allegations that Raghu Ramakrishna Raju was subjected to custodial torture. The investigation led to the naming of several accused persons, including senior IPS officer Sunil Naik.
Seeking protection from arrest, Naik approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court through an anticipatory bail petition. The matter has since drawn attention due to the seniority of the officer involved and the public significance of the allegations.
What Happens Next
The next hearing is expected to focus on the petitioner’s response to the court’s direction. The High Court will consider whether Naik intends to surrender before the investigating agency or continue pursuing legal remedies through the judicial process. The outcome could influence the future course of the investigation and related proceedings.