Alleged Custodial Death of Gade Sai Krishna in Vijayawada Sparks Political Row and Probe
Gade Sai Krishna, 25, went missing after being taken into custody at Krishnalanka police station in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, on May 9, 2026. His mother alleges he was tortured and killed, with police disposing of his body. The case prompted Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to order the suspension of Circle Inspector Nagaraju, who was later booked for murder. A court ordered preservation of CCTV footage and call data records. Opposition leaders and civil rights groups demand a CBI investigation, linking the incident to another recent death involving the same officer.
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Sai Krishna custodial death: What happened and why is the Andhra government in the dock?
The article details the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna, a 25-year-old man with a criminal history, who was picked up by Krishnalanka police in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, in May 2026. His mother filed a habeas corpus petition after he went missing. The Circle Inspector S.S.V.V. Nagaraju was arrested on June 23 for alleged custodial torture leading to death and disposal of the body. The case sparked political outrage, with opposition YSR Congress Party demanding a CBI probe and accusing the NDA government of lawlessness. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed. The article covers the sequence of events, police actions, and political fallout, highlighting claims of torture, evidence tampering, and a cover-up.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.SIT moves Supreme Court to question officer in Gade Sai Krishna custodial death case
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna has filed a petition in the Supreme Court, seeking permission to question the accused Circle Inspector, S.S.V.V. Nagaraju, without the restrictions imposed by the Andhra Pradesh High Court. The High Court had ordered that the questioning be videographed. Separately, the Krishnalanka police have booked the suspended CI and his staff under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act and Section 108 of the BNSS (abetment of suicide) in the death of Perupogu Kranthi Kumar, who allegedly died by suicide on May 21, 2026, after being harassed by the same officer. Kranthi Kumar's father alleged his son recorded a selfie video naming the CI before his death. The SIT also previously seized bones, burnt ash, and a blood-stained lathi in the Sai Krishna case.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.SIT reveals Krishnalanka police conspiracy in Sai Krishna custodial death case
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna (25) in Vijayawada has uncovered a conspiracy by Krishnalanka police officers. Head constable P. Ashok allegedly sent a gym trainer named Sushanth to Goa with Sai Krishna's mobile phone to fabricate a story that the deceased had escaped custody and traveled there. The SIT, led by Inspector General M. Ravi Prakash, analyzed call data records of the accused Circle Inspector and four constables, identifying suspicious calls and social media activity. The gym trainer reportedly confessed to carrying the phone to Goa, where signals were traced. The accused had planned to mislead investigators by creating a false narrative of escape.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Police Investigation Stalled in Sai Krishna's Custodial Death Case; SIT Struggles with Missing Body and Evidence
Two months after the custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna (25) in Vijayawada, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) remains unable to locate his body or establish full evidence. Sai Krishna was taken into custody by Task Force and Krishnalanka police on May 5, 2026, and allegedly tortured. His mother, G. Vijaya Lakshmi, claims she witnessed the torture and was told to prepare a garland for her son's photo, then expelled from the station. The family filed a Habeas Corpus petition after police failed to produce him. In June, a murder case was registered against suspended Circle Inspector S.S.V.V. Nagaraju and four constables. The SIT has questioned senior officers and a rural medical practitioner. Missing CCTV hard drives have hampered the probe. The court granted eight days of police custody for Nagaraju. Investigators are working to corroborate statements and verify seized evidence.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Sai Krishna Death: SIT Seizes Bones, Burnt Ash, Blood-Stained Lathi
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna has seized suspected human remains, including bones, burnt ash, a blood-stained lathi, and a partially burnt steel wrist chain, from the terrace of the Krishnalanka police station in Vijayawada. The items have been sent to the Andhra Pradesh Forensic Science Laboratory (APFSL) for analysis. APFSL officials found indications that CCTV footage and digital records from May 1 to June 1, 2026, had been destroyed. Separately, the SIT has challenged the conditional police custody granted to suspended Circle Inspector S. S. V. V. Nagaraju, who was arrested over the case. Nagaraju is accused of failing to disclose facts about Sai Krishna's custody and threatening the victim's mother, G. Vijaya Lakshmi. According to the investigation, Sai Krishna was arrested on May 5 and has been missing since. The mother alleges custodial torture, murder, and evidence destruction.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.SIT Says Krishnalanka Police Destroyed Evidence in Custodial Death Case
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna has accused staff of the Krishnalanka police station in Vijayawada of destroying evidence, including deleting CCTV footage. Head constable Goriparthi Sambaiah and constable Kaitepalli Babu Rao allegedly deleted digital evidence related to the illegal custody and torture. During court proceedings, the accused constables refused to answer questions, and two other head constables claimed they sold their mobile phones to unknown persons in Nagpur. Former Circle Inspector S.S.V.V. Nagaraju, already under judicial custody, was granted eight-day police custody starting July 3. The SIT has arrested four personnel so far. Meanwhile, the Human Rights Forum (HRF) demanded a judicial magistrate inquiry instead of an executive one, alleging Sai Krishna died from custodial torture.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Suspended Head Constables Surrender in Custodial Death Case in Vijayawada
Suspended head constables J. Nani and Ashok, attached to the Krishnalanka police station, surrendered to NTR Commissionerate police on June 29, 2026, in connection with the custodial torture and death of Gade Sai Krishna. The constables had been missing since the arrest of Circle Inspector S.S.V.V. Nagaraju. They were taken to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) office for questioning by IGP M. Ravi Prakash and other senior officers. The constables are accused of torturing Sai Krishna at the police station and assisting the CI in disposing of the body. SIT officials also questioned associates of the accused, hinting at more arrests. The High Court scheduled a habeas corpus petition filed by the victim's mother, Gade Vijaya Lakshmi, for two weeks, and a petition seeking custody of CI Nagaraju will be heard on July 1.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.SIT Traces Custody Trail in Alleged Custodial Death Case from Markapuram to Vijayawada
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna is reconstructing his custody from Markapuram to Vijayawada. On June 28, 2026, the SIT, led by Inspector General of Police M. Ravi Prakash, questioned Task Force personnel, Krishnalanka police staff, and senior officers. The team seized documents from the Krishnalanka police station and a burial ground to verify handling of the case. Sai Krishna was reportedly picked up from Markapuram on May 5 under two non-bailable warrants, brought to Krishnalanka on May 6, and allegedly tortured, leading to his death and evidence destruction. His mother filed a habeas corpus petition, scheduled for High Court hearing on Monday. Two suspended head constables are absconding, while investigators are questioning more suspects.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.NHRC seeks reports from DGP, Chief Secretary on Sai Krishna custodial death
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Director General of Police (DGP), Chief Secretary, and State Human Rights Commission of Andhra Pradesh to submit detailed reports within a week on the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna. The NHRC flagged possible violation of Article 21 (right to life and personal liberty), noting that if allegations of wrongful confinement, torture, murder, and destruction of evidence are true, it constitutes a gross abuse of authority. The Commission seeks details on the SIT probe, FIR status, identities of accused officers, departmental proceedings against suspended Circle Inspector Nagaraju, efforts to recover CCTV footage from Krishnalanka police station, and measures to protect the victim's mother Gade Vijaya Lakshmi. The SIT, headed by IGP M. Ravi Prakash, has sent teams to Hyderabad and Bengaluru to arrest head constables J. Nani and Ashok for allegedly assisting Nagaraju in shifting the body and destroying evidence. Separately, YSR Congress Party leaders protested in Vijayawada, demanding Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha's resignation and a CBI investigation.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Investigation Widens in Andhra Pradesh Custodial Death Case
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the custodial death of 25-year-old Gade Sai Krishna in Andhra Pradesh has reportedly identified the involvement of two head constables and a friend of the suspended Circle Inspector (CI) S.S.V.V. Nagaraju. Sai Krishna went missing after being taken into custody by the Task Force police of NTR Commissionerate from Markapuram on May 5. The SIT, led by IGP M. Ravi Prakash, is investigating whether the suspended Station House Officer (SHO) kept superiors informed about the arrest. Investigators are questioning why the NTR Commissionerate officials did not check on Sai Krishna during daily conference meetings and in the Daily Situation Report (DSR). The Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Commission (APCLC) has demanded the government book all those responsible. Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha declined to comment on the case when approached by media in Vijayawada.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Sai Krishna case: mother seeks judicial probe; SIT files for custody of accused CI
In the case of Gade Sai Krishna, a 25-year-old man who allegedly died in police custody, his mother G. Vijaya Lakshmi has filed a petition in court demanding a judicial probe into the incident, citing wrongful confinement, custodial torture, murder, and evidence screening by Circle Inspector S.S.V.V. Nagaraju. The court has scheduled the next hearing for June 29. Separately, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the case has also filed a petition seeking custody of the accused CI. The court adjourned that hearing to June 30. The article, published by The Hindu from Vijayawada on June 25, 2026, highlights escalating legal proceedings in a controversial custodial death case.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Suspended CI Nagaraju Remanded to Judicial Custody in Custodial Death Case
A court in Vijayawada, India, has remanded suspended Circle Inspector S.S.V.V. Nagaraju to 14 days' judicial custody until July 8 in connection with the custodial death of G. Sai Krishna. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) told the court that prima facie evidence points to custodial death, alleging that Nagaraju illegally detained and tortured Sai Krishna in May 2026, leading to fatal injuries. Nagaraju was arrested on June 23 and produced in court after a medical examination. Separately, the Andhra Pradesh High Court adjourned to July 6 the hearing on a public interest litigation seeking a CBI probe into the death, after the state government argued that the SIT investigation is proceeding seriously and expeditiously.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.SIT interrogates suspended Circle Inspector Nagaraju in Sai Krishna custodial death case
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Vijayawada questioned suspended Krishnalanka Circle Inspector S.S.V.V. Nagaraju regarding the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna. The SIT, led by IGP M. Ravi Krishna and including three other senior officers, also interrogated Task Force police from NTR Commissionerate who reportedly picked up the victim from Markapuram on May 9. Investigators pressed Nagaraju on the reasons for Sai Krishna's arrest, the duration of his detention, whether the arrest was logged in the General Diary, and if supervisors were notified. They also asked about the use of third-degree interrogation methods and which officers were involved. The victim's mother, Gade Vijaya Lakshmi, claims police illegally detained and tortured her son, and that Nagaraju told her Sai Krishna was dead when she inquired at the station.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.SIT Arrests Suspended Police Inspector in Custodial Death Case of Gade Sai Krishna
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna (25) arrested suspended Krishnalanka Circle Inspector S.S.V.V. Nagaraju from a hideout in Ajitsingh Nagar, Vijayawada on June 23, 2026. Sai Krishna had been missing since May 9 after allegedly being taken into custody by the same officer. His mother filed a habeas corpus petition in the High Court after the police failed to produce her son. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu intervened, ordering the CI's suspension and a murder case registration against him on June 19. The government formed a four-member SIT on June 21 to investigate illegal detention, custodial torture, death, and evidence tampering. The SIT shifted the accused to the Task Force office for questioning amid protests from his supporters who attempted to block the police operation.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.SIT Records Mother's Statement in Gade Sai Krishna Custodial Death Case Amid Protest for Suspended CI
On June 22, 2026, the Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Inspector General M. Ravi Prakash, recorded the statement of G. Vijaya Lakshmi, mother of Gade Sai Krishna, at their residence in Krishnalanka, Vijayawada. Vijaya Lakshmi alleged that her son went missing on May 9 after being taken into police custody, was tortured and died, with his body disposed of. Meanwhile, residents of Krishnalanka blocked the National Highway in support of suspended Circle Inspector S.S.V.V. Nagaraju, who faces murder and wrongful confinement charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The case follows a habeas corpus petition by the mother, a review by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and forensic examination of the police station and a burial ground. The suspended CI remains missing.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Police and Forensic Teams Investigate Custodial Death Allegations at Burial Ground and Krishnalanka Station in Sai Krishna Case
On June 20, 2026, police and Forensic Science Laboratory teams inspected the Swargapuri burial ground and Krishnalanka police station in Vijayawada, investigating allegations that 25-year-old Gade Sai Krishna was beaten to death in custody and his body cremated to destroy evidence. Sai Krishna was reportedly picked up by police on May 9 and has been missing. His mother moved the High Court, and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu ordered the suspension of Circle Inspector Nagaraju and registration of cases. Investigators examined CCTV footage, questioned burial ground staff, seized mobile phones and records, and scrutinized police station procedures. The probe is ongoing.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Police launch inquiry into alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna in Vijayawada
Police in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, have initiated an inquiry into the alleged custodial death of 25-year-old Gade Sai Krishna, who was reportedly taken into custody by Krishnalanka police on May 9. On June 19, the NTR Police registered a case against the then Circle Inspector, Nagaraju. An inquiry team led by Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Prasad visited Sai Krishna's residence and recorded statements from his mother and other family members, before questioning staff at the Krishnalanka police station. Civil rights groups, including the Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee (APCLC) and the Human Rights Forum (HRF), are demanding a CBI investigation, the suspension of involved personnel, and the registration of cases under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The HRF also linked the alleged torture of Perupogu Kranthi Kumar by the same officer to his subsequent suicide, demanding action.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Andhra Pradesh Police Inspector Booked for Murder in Alleged Custodial Death Case
On June 19, 2026, Andhra Pradesh police registered a murder case against Krishnalanka Circle Inspector Nagaraju in the alleged custodial death of 25-year-old Gade Sai Krishna. The case was filed 41 days after Sai Krishna was allegedly taken into custody on May 9. Based on a complaint by the victim's mother, G. Vijaya Lakshmi, the inspector was booked under Sections 103(1) (murder) and 127(4) (wrongful confinement) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The mother alleged that Nagaraju tortured and beat her son to death, and that police disposed of the body. A local court has ordered preservation of CCTV footage from the police station and call data records from May 1 to June 1. This is the second harassment allegation against the same inspector in recent weeks, following the May 21 death of Perupogu Kranthi Kumar, who recorded a video alleging harassment by Nagaraju before his death.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Court Orders Preservation of CCTV Footage in Youth Missing Case
The Second Additional Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in India has ordered the preservation of CCTV footage from the Krishnalanka police station covering May 1 to June 1, 2026, in connection with the disappearance of 25-year-old Gade Sai Krishna. The youth has been missing for 40 days after allegedly being picked up by police in NTR Commissionerate. His mother, Gade Vijaya Lakshmi, filed a petition claiming her son was beaten to death by police. The court also directed the production of Call Data Records (CDRs) for the mobile phones of Sai Krishna and his mother to determine their locations during the relevant period. Advocate Mallemudi Satish Babu argued that preserving CCTV footage and other evidence is crucial to uncovering the truth. Meanwhile, political leaders have called for action against senior police officials, including NTR Police Commissioner S.V. Rajashekar Babu, alleging negligence in the case.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Mother alleges police killed missing son in Vijayawada; CM orders probe, CI suspended
The mother of Gade Sai Krishna (26), missing for a month, alleges he was tortured and killed in custody at Krishnalanka police station in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. She claims Circle Inspector Nagaraju told her Sai Krishna died and misbehaved with her. The family has filed a Habeas Corpus petition in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which ordered the police to produce him by June 29. The case has sparked a political row, with YSRCP leaders demanding a CBI or judicial probe. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, after discussions with the DGP, ordered the suspension of CI Nagaraju and a probe by a senior IPS officer. The police have not registered an FIR, and opposition leaders are calling for preservation of CCTV footage and call data records.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.