Krishnalanka police station staff destroyed evidence in custodial death case: SIT

A view of the Krishna Lanka Police Station in Vijayawada, which has come under intense scrutiny in connection with the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna. | Photo credit: File Photo

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna has found that some constables, head constables and other employees of the Krishnalanka police station destroyed evidence related to the case. The SIT also said that the accused were not cooperating in the investigation.

Investigating officers arrested head constables Jangam Nani and Potarlanka Ashok and produced them before the court on Tuesday evening. The SIT on Wednesday produced Constable Kaitepalli Babu Rao and Senior Constable Goriparthi Sambabai before the Second Additional Judicial Magistrate Court of First Class, which sent them to judicial custody.

Earlier, SIT had arrested circle inspector SSVV Nagaraja in the case and he is in judicial custody.

Eight-day police custody for ex-CI

The court on Thursday remanded Nagaraj to eight-day police custody from July 3. The SIT has submitted a proposal for a 12-day remand for the accused. The court directed the SIT to interrogate Nagaraja in Rajamahendravaram.

SIT officials said that evidence points to the involvement of Nani and Ashok, who were attached to the Krishnalanka police station, in wrongfully imprisoning and torturing Sai Krishna in custody.

The investigation revealed that Head Constable Sambaiah and Constable Babu Rao had deleted CCTV footage and other digital evidence related to Sai Krishna’s illegal detention, torture and other offenses committed at the police station.

The officers did not answer any questions during interrogation and Nani and Ashok said they had sold their mobile phones to unknown persons in Nagpur, SIT officers told the court.

Meanwhile, Human Rights Forum (HRF) Secretary General Y. Rajesh and Secretary G. Rohit said in a statement on Thursday that Gade Sai Krishna was subjected to torture in custody and died in custody. They demanded an inquiry by a Judicial Magistrate, not an Executive Magistrate.

Published – 02 Jul 2026 23:46 IST