CustodialDeath – Court Sends Suspended Officer to 14-Day Judicial Custody
CustodialDeath – A suspended police officer has been sent to judicial custody for two weeks as investigators continue to probe the alleged custodial death of a 25-year-old man, a case that has raised serious concerns about police conduct and evidence handling.
A city court on Wednesday remanded suspended police officer S.S.V.V. Nagaraju to 14 days of judicial custody in connection with the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna. The officer was produced before the court by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) after his arrest on Tuesday. The court directed that he remain in judicial remand until July 8.
Findings Presented by Investigation Team
According to information submitted before the court, investigators believe Sai Krishna died as a result of injuries allegedly sustained while in police custody. The SIT also informed the court that surveillance footage from the police station was intentionally erased, a development that has become a key focus of the inquiry.
At the time of the incident, Nagaraju was serving as the Circle Inspector and Station House Officer of Krishnalanka police station, where the alleged custodial death is believed to have occurred.
Timeline of Custody and Disappearance
Investigators told the court that Sai Krishna, who reportedly had several pending criminal cases and non-bailable warrants against him, was taken into custody in Markapuram on May 6 and later brought to Krishnalanka police station. The SIT alleged that he was held unlawfully and subsequently went missing.
During the investigation, officials recorded statements indicating that a sub-inspector had seen Sai Krishna inside the police station between May 6 and May 8. His mother, Vijaya Lakshmi, also reportedly stated that she saw her son in an unconscious state while he was at the station.
Missing CCTV Records Raise Questions
One of the major concerns highlighted by investigators involves the absence of CCTV footage from the police station for a full month, covering the period from May 1 to June 1. The SIT informed the court that no recordings from that timeframe were available for examination.
Investigators further stated that Sai Krishna had surrendered his mobile phone after being brought to the station. However, the device was allegedly not deposited before the magistrate as required, prompting additional scrutiny regarding the handling of evidence.
Allegations of Evidence Destruction
The remand report also contained serious allegations regarding efforts to conceal the circumstances surrounding Sai Krishna’s death. According to the SIT, attempts were made to remove the body from the police station and dispose of it at an undisclosed location.
Investigators suspect that efforts may have been made either to bury or cremate the body in order to eliminate evidence. The SIT said inquiries are continuing to determine the exact location where the remains may have been taken.
Probe Expands as Cooperation Questioned
The investigation team informed the court that the suspended officer was allegedly not cooperating fully and had provided misleading information during questioning. Officials said these actions were hampering efforts to establish the complete sequence of events.
The SIT, headed by Inspector General (Law and Order) M. Ravi Prakash, is examining allegations that include wrongful confinement, murder, and destruction of evidence. Senior police officers from multiple districts are part of the investigation team overseeing the case.
High Court Proceedings and Criminal Case
The case was formally registered on June 19 following a complaint filed by Sai Krishna’s mother. She alleged that her son was subjected to torture and died due to physical assault while in custody.
Separately, Vijaya Lakshmi approached the High Court through a Habeas Corpus petition seeking her son’s production before the court. After police failed to present Sai Krishna on the scheduled date, the High Court directed authorities to produce him by June 29 while the investigation continues.