Sai Krishna case takes dramatic turn as SIT confirms custodial death

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The sensational disappearance case of Vijayawada youth Gade Sai Krishna has taken a dramatic turn, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) concluding that it was not a missing person case but a custodial death that allegedly occurred while the victim was in police custody. The development has intensified scrutiny on the conduct of police personnel involved in the case.

Vijayawada court remanded suspended Krishnalanka Circle Inspector (CI) Nagaraju to 14 days of judicial custody till July 8 after he was arrested by the SIT following an extensive interrogation.

According to the remand report submitted by the SIT, Sai Krishna was taken into custody from Markapur on May 6 and brought to the Krishnalanka Police Station. Investigators alleged that he died as a result of custodial torture while being illegally detained at the station. The report also cited statements made by Sai Krishna’s mother, who claimed she had seen her son in a severely injured and unconscious condition inside the police station.

The SIT has further alleged a deliberate attempt to conceal the custodial death. Investigators informed the court that CCTV footage from the police station covering the period between May 1 and June 1 was intentionally deleted to destroy evidence. The report also states that efforts were allegedly made to dispose of Sai Krishna’s body, either through burial or cremation, and that the body remains untraced.

The investigation team accused CI Nagaraju of non-cooperation during questioning and providing misleading information to investigators. The SIT further alleged that Sai Krishna was detained without being produced before a magistrate and that false information was furnished to the High Court regarding his whereabouts.

Following nearly five hours of questioning, SIT officials arrested Nagaraju on Monday. After medical examination at the Government General Hospital, he was produced before the court, which ordered judicial remand.

The case has triggered widespread public outrage, with the SIT indicating that further investigation is required to uncover the full extent of the alleged cover-up and identify all those responsible.