Andhra HC adjourns CBI probe PIL in Vijayawada custodial death case
Synopsis
A PIL demanding a CBI inquiry into the alleged custodial death of 25-year-old Gade Sai Krishna in Vijayawada has been adjourned to 6 July by the Andhra Pradesh High Court. With the state's SIT having arrested suspended SHO Nagaraju and the mother alleging her son's body was cremated to destroy evidence, the case raises urgent questions about police accountability in Andhra Pradesh.
Key Takeaways
The Andhra Pradesh High Court adjourned a PIL seeking a CBI probe into the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna, 25 , to 6 July .
Sai Krishna was allegedly picked up by Krishna Lanka police, Vijayawada on 9 May ; his mother Vijaya Lakshmi alleges he was tortured and killed in custody.
The state constituted an SIT headed by IG M.
Ravi Prakash ; suspended SHO S.S.V.V.
Nagaraju was arrested on Tuesday .
A case under BNS sections 127(4), 127(6), 103(1), and 238 — covering wrongful confinement, murder, and destruction of evidence — was registered on 19 June .
Vijaya Lakshmi alleged Sai Krishna's body was cremated at Swargapuri electric crematorium to destroy evidence.
The High Court had earlier directed police to produce Sai Krishna by 29 June after they failed to comply with a 15 June deadline.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday, 24 June adjourned the hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged custodial death of 25-year-old Gade Sai Krishna, who reportedly disappeared after being picked up by Krishna Lanka police in Vijayawada last month. The division bench deferred the matter to 6 July, observing 'Let us wait and see.'
What the PIL Seeks
The PIL, filed before the Andhra Pradesh High Court in Amaravati, demands a CBI-led inquiry into the circumstances surrounding Sai Krishna's alleged disappearance and death following his detention by Krishna Lanka police on 9 May. His mother, Vijaya Lakshmi, has alleged that her son was illegally confined, subjected to custodial torture, and beaten to death at the police station. She further alleged that his body was cremated at the Swargapuri electric crematorium to destroy evidence.
State's Response and SIT Formation
The Advocate General informed the division bench that the state government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising senior officials to conduct a comprehensive probe. The SIT is headed by Inspector General (Law and Order) M. Ravi Prakash and includes West Godavari Superintendent of Police Adnan Nayeem Asmi, Alluri Sitharamaraju SP Amit Bardar as members, and Bapatla district Additional SP L. Sudhakar as the investigation officer. The Advocate General assured the court that the state is taking all necessary steps to ensure a smooth investigation.
Accused Officer Arrested
Suspended Circle Inspector and Station House Officer (SHO) S.S.V.V. Nagaraju, named as the accused in the case, was taken into custody by the SIT on Tuesday for interrogation and subsequently arrested. The Advocate General told the court that the accused officer would be produced before it. The SIT's constitution was announced two days before Nagaraju's arrest.
The Case Background
A formal case was registered on 19 June under sections 127(4), 127(6), 103(1), and 238 of the Bharat Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on the basis of a complaint filed by Vijaya Lakshmi. The charges pertain to allegations of wrongful confinement, murder, and causing the disappearance of evidence. Earlier, Vijaya Lakshmi had filed a Habeas Corpus petition in the High Court, which directed Krishna Lanka police to produce Sai Krishna on 15 June. When police failed to comply, the court extended the deadline to 29 June. The case has drawn sharp scrutiny over alleged police excesses and the destruction of potential evidence.
What Happens Next
The High Court will take up the PIL again on 6 July, by which point the SIT is expected to have made further progress in its investigation. Whether the court accepts the state's SIT mechanism as sufficient or orders a CBI handover will be the central question at the next hearing.
Point of View
And his mother claims his body was cremated before any independent examination. The state's swift SIT formation and the SHO's arrest suggest political pressure is being felt, yet the core accountability question — why a 25-year-old in police custody disappeared without trace — remains unanswered. If the SIT's findings on 6 July do not satisfy the court, a CBI referral becomes increasingly likely, and the optics for the Andhra Pradesh government will worsen considerably.
NationPress
24 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vijayawada custodial death case?
It is the alleged custodial death of 25-year-old Gade Sai Krishna , who was reportedly picked up by Krishna Lanka police in Vijayawada on 9 May for questioning and never returned home. His mother, Vijaya Lakshmi, has alleged he was tortured and killed in police custody, and that his body was cremated to destroy evidence.
Why is a CBI probe being sought in this case?
A PIL has been filed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court seeking a CBI investigation because the petitioner contends that a state police-led probe may lack independence, given that the accused is a suspended police officer. The mother also alleges destruction of evidence through cremation, raising concerns about impartial inquiry.
Who is the accused in the Gade Sai Krishna death case?
The accused is suspended Circle Inspector and SHO S.S.V.V. Nagaraju of Krishna Lanka police station in Vijayawada. He was taken into custody by the SIT on Tuesday and subsequently arrested. He faces charges of wrongful confinement, murder, and causing disappearance of evidence under the Bharat Nyaya Sanhita.
What is the SIT constituted by the Andhra Pradesh government?
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) is headed by IG (Law and Order) M. Ravi Prakash and includes West Godavari SP Adnan Nayeem Asmi , Alluri Sitharamaraju SP Amit Bardar , and Bapatla Additional SP L. Sudhakar as investigation officer. It was constituted two days before the arrest of the suspended SHO.
When is the next hearing in the Andhra HC custodial death PIL?
The Andhra Pradesh High Court has adjourned the PIL to 6 July . At the next hearing, the court is expected to assess the SIT's progress before deciding whether to order a CBI probe.
