SIT files chargesheet in Vijayawada custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna
Synopsis
An SIT has filed a chargesheet against seven people — including a suspended Circle Inspector — for the alleged torture, death, and secret cremation of 25-year-old Gade Sai Krishna in police custody in Vijayawada. The accused reportedly transported the body on a two-wheeler at midnight to destroy evidence, while the officer allegedly tried to buy silence with a cash offer to the victim's family.
Key Takeaways
The Andhra Pradesh SIT filed a chargesheet on 21 September 2026 in the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna , aged 25 .
Seven accused named, including suspended Krishnalanka SHO S.S.V.V.
Nagaraju as Accused No.
Sai Krishna was picked up on 6 May 2026 and reportedly died in custody on 12 May 2026 at a private building in Ranigari Thota .
Accused allegedly cremated the body at Swargapuri crematorium around midnight to destroy evidence.
Case registered on 19 June 2026 under BNS Sections 127(4), 127(6), 103(1), and 238 on complaint by the victim's mother, Vijaya Lakshmi .
Nagaraju allegedly offered money to the victim's family to reach a compromise, which they refused.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Andhra Pradesh Police on Monday, 21 September 2026, filed a chargesheet before a court in Vijayawada in the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna, a 25-year-old man who disappeared after being picked up by police on 6 May 2026. The filing marks a significant step in a case that has drawn sharp scrutiny over police accountability in the state.
Accused Named in the Chargesheet
The chargesheet names seven accused, led by then Krishnalanka police station Circle Inspector (SHO) S.S.V.V. Nagaraju, designated as Accused No. 1. The remaining six are Head Constables Ashok Kumar and Nani, Nagaraju's associate Gulivindala Suresh, Constables Babu Rao and Sambaiah, and Home Guard Venkat.
The SIT submitted evidence covering three key stages: the arrest of Sai Krishna, his alleged physical torture in custody leading to his death, and the subsequent cremation of his body by the accused in an apparent attempt to destroy evidence.
What the Investigation Uncovered
According to the SIT, the NTR Commissionerate Task Force police, along with Krishnalanka police, travelled to Markapuram on 5 May 2026 and picked up Sai Krishna, against whom two Non-Bailable Warrants (NBWs) were pending. He was handed over to Krishnalanka police the following day.
Associate Gulivindala Suresh — who surrendered in court four days before the chargesheet was filed — confessed to investigators that he had seen Sai Krishna at the police station and later at a private vacant building at Ranigari Thota. According to Suresh's statement to the SIT, Sai Krishna told him he had been 'beaten severely every day' since being brought to the station. Suresh reportedly told investigators that Sai Krishna collapsed while speaking to him on 12 May 2026, and that two head constables confirmed his death after checking his pulse.
On Nagaraju's alleged direction, the head constables wrapped the body in a blanket, transported it on a two-wheeler around midnight on 12 May to Swargapuri crematorium, with Suresh following on a separate bike. The three then cremated the body. Nagaraju and Suresh allegedly returned to the crematorium on 18 May to verify that no remains were left.
The investigation also revealed that Nagaraju approached Sai Krishna's maternal uncles, Mullapudi Navarang and Nageswara Rao, and reportedly attempted to reach a financial compromise with them, which they refused.
How the Case Came to Light
Sai Krishna's family raised the alarm after his disappearance. His mother, Vijaya Lakshmi, alleged he had been tortured and beaten to death in police custody and that his body was disposed of at a crematorium. A formal case was registered on 19 June 2026 under Sections 127(4), 127(6), 103(1), and 238 of the Bharat Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on her complaint.
After Vijaya Lakshmi filed a habeas corpus petition in the High Court, the state government constituted the SIT to probe the case. The SIT, headed by Inspector General (Law and Order) M. Ravi Prakash, arrested the suspended SHO Nagaraju on 21 June 2026.
What Happens Next
With the chargesheet now formally before the court, the case is expected to proceed to trial. The filing intensifies pressure on Andhra Pradesh authorities over custodial accountability — this case mirrors a broader pattern of alleged lockup deaths that have triggered judicial and legislative responses across Indian states in recent years. Rights organisations have pointed to the Sai Krishna case as emblematic of systemic gaps in detainee oversight, and advocates are expected to demand expedited judicial proceedings.
Point of View
Held him off the books, allegedly tortured him to death, cremated the body at midnight, and then attempted a financial settlement with the family. The fact that this came to light only through a habeas corpus petition — not internal oversight — underlines how dependent accountability is on families who are resourceful and persistent enough to approach the courts. The BNS charges are serious, but a swift and transparent trial is the real measure of whether Andhra Pradesh's justice system treats custodial deaths as the fundamental rights violations they are.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Gade Sai Krishna custodial death case in Vijayawada?
Gade Sai Krishna, 25, was picked up by police on 6 May 2026 and allegedly died in custody on 12 May 2026 after sustained torture. His body was reportedly secretly cremated by police personnel at Swargapuri crematorium to destroy evidence. An SIT filed a chargesheet against seven accused on 21 September 2026.
Who are the accused named in the SIT chargesheet?
The chargesheet names seven people: suspended Krishnalanka SHO S.S.V.V. Nagaraju (Accused No. 1), Head Constables Ashok Kumar and Nani, Nagaraju's associate Gulivindala Suresh, Constables Babu Rao and Sambaiah, and Home Guard Venkat.
How was the case registered and investigated?
The case was registered on 19 June 2026 under BNS Sections 127(4), 127(6), 103(1), and 238, after Sai Krishna's mother Vijaya Lakshmi filed a complaint. Following a habeas corpus petition in the High Court, the state government constituted an SIT led by IG (Law and Order) M. Ravi Prakash, which arrested the suspended SHO on 21 June 2026.
What did associate Gulivindala Suresh reveal to the SIT?
Suresh, who surrendered in court four days before the chargesheet was filed, confessed that he had seen Sai Krishna at the police station and at a private building in Ranigari Thota, where the victim told him he had been beaten daily. Suresh said Sai Krishna collapsed in his presence, and that the body was later cremated on Nagaraju's direction.
Did the accused attempt to cover up the death?
According to the SIT, yes — the body was wrapped in a blanket and transported on a two-wheeler to Swargapuri crematorium around midnight on 12 May 2026 and cremated. Nagaraju and Suresh allegedly revisited the crematorium on 18 May to confirm no remains were left. Nagaraju also reportedly offered money to the victim's uncles to reach a compromise, which they refused.
