Supreme Court petitioned to relax questioning rules in custodial death case

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna has approached the Supreme Court, seeking permission to question the accused police officer without the videography conditions imposed by the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court had directed that the questioning of Circle Inspector S.S.V.V. Nagaraju of the Krishnalanka police station be videographed. The SIT challenged this order on Thursday, July 9, 2026.

Gade Sai Krishna was allegedly illegally detained and tortured by the Krishnalanka CI and his staff in May 2026, and died in custody. The victim's family alleged that the body was later cremated.

In a related development, the Krishnalanka police have registered a case against the suspended CI Nagaraju and his staff under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) (abetment of suicide) in the suspicious death of Perupogu Kranthi Kumar.

Kranthi Kumar, a resident of Phakeergudem in Vijayawada, had been frequently summoned by the Krishnalanka police on the pretext of questioning. A complaint filed by his father, Venkateswara Rao, alleged that his son died by suicide on May 21, 2026, unable to bear the harassment and threats by CI Nagaraju and his aides.

"My son had recorded a selfie video naming the then Krishnalanka CI Nagaraju and some other staff of the police station. He had sent the video to his mother. My son died due to the torture by the police," Mr. Venkateswara Rao alleged. The case is under investigation.

Those battling suicidal thoughts may contact helplines or dial 100 for assistance.