Custodial Death – Vijayawada Court Allows Eight Days of SIT Questioning
Custodial Death – A court in Vijayawada has permitted the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to question suspended Circle Inspector SSVV Nagaraju for eight days in connection with the alleged custodial death of Sai Krishna. The order was issued on Thursday by the Second Additional Judicial Magistrate of First Class Court.
Nagaraju, who earlier served as the Circle Inspector at Krishna Lanka police station, is currently being held as a remand prisoner at Rajamahendravaram Central Jail. The SIT is examining allegations related to Sai Krishna’s death while in police custody, along with questions surrounding the whereabouts of his body and the reported loss of CCTV recordings.
SIT to question officer inside central jail
The investigation team, headed by Investigation Officer Sudhakar, will question Nagaraju at Rajamahendravaram Central Jail between July 3 and July 10. The court has directed that the questioning take place only during daytime hours, from 10 am to 5 pm.
Investigators had asked the court for 12 days of custody. The SIT submitted that Nagaraju had not provided sufficient cooperation during the inquiry and that additional questioning was necessary to establish the sequence of events in the case.
The team is also trying to determine whether any information connected with Sai Krishna’s missing body can be recovered. Another part of the inquiry concerns allegations that CCTV footage relevant to the case was removed, deleted or otherwise made unavailable.
Officer disputes allegations of non-cooperation
During the hearing, Nagaraju rejected the claim that he had withheld information from investigators. He told the court that he had already shared all details known to him and had nothing further to conceal.
He also raised concerns about his personal security while being questioned in custody. His legal counsel requested safeguards during the interrogation, including video recording of the proceedings and access to legal representation where permitted under the law.
The defence maintained that any questioning should be conducted in a transparent manner and within the limits set by the court. The request was aimed at ensuring that the interrogation process remains properly documented.
Court reduces requested custody period
After considering submissions from the SIT and the defence, the magistrate allowed eight days of custody rather than the 12 days requested by investigators. The order requires the SIT to conduct the questioning within the jail premises and follow the fixed schedule set by the court.
The magistrate also directed that the entire interrogation process be recorded. This condition is expected to provide an official record of the questioning and address concerns raised by the accused officer’s counsel.
The case has drawn attention because it involves serious allegations concerning the treatment of a person in police custody. The SIT’s inquiry is expected to focus on the available evidence, statements from those connected with the matter and the circumstances that led to Sai Krishna’s reported death.
Investigation continues under court supervision
With the custody period now approved, investigators are likely to seek clarification on the officer’s role, the handling of Sai Krishna after he was taken into custody and the alleged disappearance of evidence. The SIT will also examine whether other officials or individuals may have information relevant to the inquiry.
The court’s directions limit the interrogation to specified hours and require recording, while allowing the investigation team time to pursue leads it considers important. Further developments in the case are expected after the questioning period ends.