Mother Alleges Son Killed in Police Custody in Vijayawada; CI Suspended, Probe Ordered
The family of 26-year-old Gade Sai Krishna, who has been missing for the past month, has alleged that he was taken into custody by the Krishnalanka police in Vijayawada and died due to torture while in detention. The mother, Gade Vijaya Lakshmi, claimed that the police had picked up her son and he never returned.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, Vijaya Lakshmi stated, “My son was picked up by the police and taken to Krishnalanka police station. He has not returned since.” She further alleged that when she visited the police station a few days ago, Circle Inspector Nagaraju told her that Sai Krishna had died and reportedly misbehaved with her. She claimed the police accused her son of involvement in cases and beat him to death.
Sai Krishna’s maternal uncle, Navarang, echoed the allegations, asserting that the police branded Sai Krishna as a criminal and killed him in custody. He demanded that if Sai Krishna is alive, the police should immediately produce him before the High Court. The family had filed a Habeas Corpus petition, and the High Court initially directed the police to produce Sai Krishna by June 15. After the police failed to do so, the court extended the deadline to June 29.
The incident has sparked a political controversy, with leaders from various parties calling for an independent investigation. YSR Congress Party leader Kesineni Srinivas (Nani) demanded an independent probe, while his party colleague Perni Venkataramaiah (Nani) urged either a CBI investigation or a judicial inquiry headed by a sitting judge. Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee vice-president Kolanukonda Shivaji criticized the police for not registering an FIR regarding the disappearance and stressed the need to preserve CCTV footage from the police station and call data records of those involved.
In response to the allegations, Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan held discussions with Director General of Police Harish Kumar Gupta and other top officials at the Secretariat on Wednesday. After being briefed on the matter, the Chief Minister ordered the suspension of Circle Inspector Nagaraju and directed that the case be investigated by a senior IPS officer. He also instructed that action be taken against those found guilty.
The case has reignited debates on police accountability and custodial violence in Andhra Pradesh. The state has seen sporadic reports of alleged excesses, and human rights groups have often called for stronger independent oversight mechanisms. The demand for a judicial or CBI probe by opposition parties underscores the political sensitivity surrounding the incident.
The police department has not yet issued an official statement regarding the allegations. The High Court is expected to hear the matter on June 29, when the police are required to produce the youth or provide an explanation. The family, while welcoming the suspension, insists on a thorough probe and that all responsible officials be booked under the relevant laws. They have expressed hope that the High Court’s June 29 deadline will bring clarity to the case.
