SIT Questions Suspended Constables in Sai Krishna's Alleged Custodial Death Case

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged custodial death of G. Sai Krishna has questioned four suspended constables of the Krishnalanka police station. The questioning took place after a local court granted five days of police custody to the accused, the SIT said.

The accused are head constables Ashok and Nani, and constables Sambaiah and Babu Rao. They were already in judicial custody when the SIT sought their police custody. Under the Code of Criminal Procedure, police custody enables investigators to interrogate the accused while in their charge, whereas judicial custody keeps the accused under the supervision of a magistrate. The court allowed the SIT's request, considering the need for a detailed investigation.

During the interrogation, the SIT officers posed several questions to the accused. They asked why Sai Krishna was taken outside the police station instead of being produced before a magistrate as required by law. They also sought to know the destinations where the victim was taken and whether senior officials of the NTR Police Commissionerate were informed about the detention. The officers questioned the accused about the timing of any such communication and the reasons for the alleged torture of the victim while in custody. The SIT also asked them about the disposal of Sai Krishna's body.

The accused, however, reportedly did not answer the queries and chose to remain silent. It is pertinent to note that the right to silence is a fundamental legal right guaranteed to every accused person. The investigating agency cannot force a confession, and the law does not infer guilt from silence alone. The SIT is expected to build its case on corroborative evidence.

The case dates back to May 6, when Sai Krishna, aged 25, was arrested by the NTR Commissionerate Police and brought to the Krishnalanka police station on the same day. Thereafter, he was not seen by his family or friends. His family lodged a complaint, and after initial inquiries, the state government constituted a Special Investigation Team to look into the matter. The SIT has arrested Krishnalanka Circle Inspector S.S.V.V. Nagaraju, who has been named accused number one, along with the four constables. All accused have been suspended from their services pending the investigation.

Sai Krishna was a resident of the area and his family has been in a state of shock since his disappearance. They have stated that they were initially unaware of his detention and learned about it only later. The family members have extended their cooperation to the SIT and have expressed hope that the investigation would bring out the truth.

The SIT is headed by a senior police officer and comprises members of the state police. It was formed following the directions of the state government after the disappearance of Sai Krishna came to light. The team has been given the mandate to conduct a thorough and independent investigation, and its findings will be crucial in determining the accountability of the accused.

Custodial deaths are a matter of serious concern in India. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that custodial violence violates the fundamental right to life and liberty enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution. In landmark judgments, the apex court has laid down guidelines for the investigation of such cases and for awarding compensation to the victims' families. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has also issued directions to the authorities to ensure accountability in custodial matters.

The SIT is currently piecing together the sequence of events that led to Sai Krishna's death. The investigators are examining evidence, including medical records and witness statements. The court has granted five days of police custody, during which the SIT will seek to establish the facts. The interrogation of the accused is a crucial part of the investigation, and further proceedings will depend on the findings. According to sources, the interrogation session on Saturday lasted several hours, during which the accused were asked the questions individually. The SIT has not disclosed any details of the questioning due to the sensitivity of the case.

The family of Sai Krishna has been demanding a transparent and impartial investigation. They have also requested that the accused be dealt with strictly as per the law. Meanwhile, the police authorities have appealed to the public and the media to avoid speculative reporting and to allow the legal process to take its course. The next hearing in the case is expected to take place after the completion of the police custody period.