Jagan demands CBI probe into Vijayawada custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna
Synopsis
Two young men dead within a month under the same Vijayawada police station, one in custody and one by alleged suicide — and the only action so far is a single CI's suspension. Jagan Mohan Reddy is now demanding a CBI probe that reaches the Police Commissioner and DGP, raising the political stakes considerably for the Andhra Pradesh government.
Key Takeaways
Jagan Mohan Reddy on 18 June demanded a CBI probe into the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna at Krishna Lanka Police Station , Vijayawada.
Sai Krishna was taken into police custody on 9 May ; his family's repeated complaints to senior officials were allegedly ignored.
Authorities acknowledged the custodial death and suspended the Krishna Lanka Circle Inspector only after the family filed a Habeas Corpus petition in the High Court.
Jagan alleged that responsibility extends to the Vijayawada Police Commissioner and the State DGP , and demanded murder charges against all those involved.
A second death — Kranthi Kumar , who reportedly died by suicide in May after alleged harassment by the same officer — was also cited by Jagan as part of a troubling pattern.
YSRCP has pledged full legal support to the affected families.
Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday, 18 June demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna at Krishna Lanka Police Station in Vijayawada, calling for murder charges against all those responsible. Jagan also visited Sai Krishna's residence in Krishna Lanka to personally console the deceased's mother, Gade Vijayalakshmi, and other family members.
What Happened to Gade Sai Krishna
Sai Krishna was taken into police custody on 9 May, after which his mother repeatedly visited Krishna Lanka Police Station seeking information about her son's whereabouts. According to Jagan, instead of assistance, police officials allegedly mocked her and told her to garland her son's photograph. Written complaints submitted to senior police officials went unaddressed, the YSRCP chief alleged.
Suspecting foul play, the family filed a Habeas Corpus petition before the High Court. Only after legal intervention and sustained public pressure did authorities acknowledge the custodial death and suspend the Krishna Lanka Circle Inspector (CI), Jagan said.
Jagan's Allegations Against Senior Officials
Speaking to reporters after his visit, Jagan alleged that responsibility for the incident extended well beyond the suspended CI, implicating senior officers including the Vijayawada Police Commissioner and the State Director General of Police (DGP). He said officials at multiple levels had failed to act despite repeated complaints and clear warning signs.
Jagan also pushed back against what he described as attempts to posthumously portray Sai Krishna as a criminal. He noted that Sai Krishna had been working as a gig worker to earn a livelihood, and questioned why someone allegedly involved in serious criminal activity would need to take up such work.
A Second Death Linked to the Same Officer
Jagan raised a second case involving Kranthi Kumar, who reportedly died by suicide in May after allegedly facing repeated harassment by the same police officer. He questioned how two young men could lose their lives within a single month under the jurisdiction of the same police station and the same officer — a pattern he said demanded independent scrutiny.
Demand for CBI Probe and Political Accountability
Jagan argued that only an independent CBI investigation could establish the full chain of accountability, identify all those involved, and deliver justice to the affected families. A departmental inquiry or state-level probe, he contended, would be insufficient given the seniority of the officials allegedly implicated.
He said YSRCP would extend full legal and political support to Sai Krishna's family and other affected families in their fight for justice. The incident, he added, had exposed what he called the alarming deterioration of law and order in Andhra Pradesh under the current administration.
With the High Court already seized of the matter and political pressure mounting, the Andhra Pradesh government's response to the CBI demand is expected to be closely watched in the days ahead.
Point of View
At best, an incomplete response. What makes this politically combustible is the second death — Kranthi Kumar's alleged suicide under harassment by the same officer — which transforms an isolated incident into a pattern. Jagan's CBI demand is as much opposition strategy as it is a legitimate accountability ask; but the underlying facts, if verified, are serious enough to warrant scrutiny beyond what a state-level inquiry can credibly provide. The Andhra Pradesh government's silence on the senior-official allegations will itself become a story.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Gade Sai Krishna and how did he die?
Gade Sai Krishna was a gig worker from Krishna Lanka in Vijayawada who was taken into police custody on 9 May. His family suspected foul play and filed a Habeas Corpus petition in the High Court; authorities subsequently acknowledged his custodial death and suspended the Krishna Lanka Circle Inspector.
Why is Jagan Mohan Reddy demanding a CBI probe?
Jagan argues that a CBI investigation is necessary because the alleged lapses extend to senior officials including the Vijayawada Police Commissioner and the State DGP, making an independent probe the only credible path to accountability. He contends that the suspension of the CI alone is insufficient and has demanded murder charges against all those responsible.
What is the connection to Kranthi Kumar's death?
Kranthi Kumar reportedly died by suicide in May after allegedly facing repeated harassment from the same police officer linked to Sai Krishna's custodial death. Jagan raised both cases together, questioning how two young men could die within a month under the jurisdiction of the same police station and officer.
What legal action has the family taken so far?
Sai Krishna's family filed a Habeas Corpus petition before the Andhra Pradesh High Court after their written complaints to senior police officials went unaddressed. It was only after this legal intervention and public pressure that the custodial death was officially acknowledged and the Circle Inspector suspended.
What has YSRCP promised the affected families?
YSRCP president Jagan Mohan Reddy assured Sai Krishna's family and other affected families that the party would extend full legal and political support in their fight for justice, including backing the demand for a CBI inquiry.
