Former Andhra CM Jagan Mohan Reddy meets custodial death victim's family, calls for CBI investigation
YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, visited the residence of Gade Sai Krishna in Krishnalanka, Vijayawada, on Thursday. He met the mother of the deceased, Gade Vijayalakshmi, amid continued controversy over the alleged custodial death of the youth.
Mr. Reddy consoled the grieving mother and assured the family of support in their pursuit of justice. The visit follows allegations that Sai Krishna died while in police custody and that authorities attempted to conceal the circumstances surrounding his death.
Speaking to reporters later, Mr. Reddy alleged that complaints submitted by the victim's family were ignored by authorities and that pressure was exerted on Sai Krishna's mother. He stated that the family had to approach the High Court through a habeas corpus petition after failing to receive satisfactory responses from the police.
The former Chief Minister contended that the suspension of Circle Inspector Nagaraju was insufficient and argued that the action itself acknowledged serious wrongdoing. “The officer was linked to more than one death-related incident,” he said, questioning why stronger legal action had not been taken against him.
Mr. Reddy further alleged that senior police officials, including the City Police Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner of Police, and the Director General of Police, should also be investigated. He described the incident as a grave violation of the rule of law, occurring in the heart of Vijayawada.
Referring to another recent incident, he claimed that a person named Kranti Kumar died by suicide after allegedly facing harassment from the same police officer, suggesting a pattern of misconduct requiring thorough investigation.
Mr. Reddy maintained that if Sai Krishna had committed any offence, it was for the courts to determine and punish under the law, but instead, police personnel had taken the law into their own hands.
Demanding an impartial inquiry, the YSRCP chief reiterated his call for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged custodial death. He said only an independent investigation would establish the truth, identify those responsible, and restore public confidence in the justice system.
