Daijiworld Media Network - Vijayawada
Vijayawada, Jun 23: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged custodial death of a 25-year-old man in Vijayawada on Tuesday took the suspended Station House Officer (SHO) of Krishna Lanka police station into custody for questioning as the investigation gathered pace.
The four-member SIT, constituted by the Andhra Pradesh government two days ago, detained suspended SHO Nagaraju from his residence in Singh Nagar and shifted him to a police guest house for interrogation.
A group of supporters gathered outside Nagaraju's residence during the operation, carrying placards and photographs of the suspended officer while raising slogans in his support. They demanded that the government withdraw the criminal case registered against him.
Authorities deployed a large contingent of police personnel in the area to prevent any untoward incidents and maintain law and order.
The action comes amid an ongoing investigation into the disappearance and alleged custodial death of 25-year-old Gade Sai Krishna.
The SIT, headed by Inspector General (Law and Order) M. Ravi Prakash, includes West Godavari Superintendent of Police Adnan Nayeem Asmi, Alluri Sitharamaraju district SP Amit Bardar and Bapatla Additional SP L. Sudhakar, who is serving as the investigating officer.
The team has intensified its inquiry over the past two days. On Monday, investigators recorded statements from Sai Krishna's mother, Gade Vijayalakshmi, and other family members.
The SIT also visited Krishna Lanka police station, where Sai Krishna was allegedly brought before his disappearance. Officials examined station records and questioned around 11 police personnel who were on duty to establish the sequence of events.
Investigators are examining allegations of wrongful confinement, murder and destruction of evidence involving the suspended SHO.
A case was registered on June 19 under Sections 127(4), 127(6), 103(1) and 238 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) following a complaint lodged by Vijayalakshmi, who accused police personnel of torturing and killing her son while he was in custody.
According to the complaint, Sai Krishna was picked up by police on May 9 for questioning in connection with a case. His mother alleged that he was illegally detained and subjected to custodial torture at the Krishna Lanka police station.
She further alleged that his body was secretly cremated at the Swargapuri electric crematorium in an attempt to destroy evidence.
Vijayalakshmi subsequently approached the High Court by filing a habeas corpus petition seeking the production of her son.
The court initially directed Krishna Lanka police to produce Sai Krishna before it on June 15. After police failed to do so, the High Court extended the deadline and ordered authorities to produce him by June 29.
The SIT is continuing its investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding Sai Krishna's disappearance and the allegations of custodial death.