NHRC seeks reports from DGP, Chief Secretary on custodial death of Sai Krishna

As part of its probe into the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna, the NHRC sought details of efforts to obtain CCTV footage from the Krishnalanka police station | Photo credit: GN Rao

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Director General of Police (DGP), the Chief Secretary and the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) to submit reports on the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna.

Based on the complaint, the NHRC took note of allegations of illegal imprisonment, custodial torture, murder and destruction of evidence as well as media reports of the incident. He directed DGP Harish Kumar Gupta and Chief Secretary G. Sai Prasad to submit a comprehensive report within a week.

“If the allegations are true, the incident raises a serious issue of flagrant violation of human rights and brutal attack on the fundamental rights to life and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution,” the Commission noted.

The NHRC said the alleged police action reflected gross abuse of power and complete betrayal of the trust reposed in the law enforcement agencies, turning protectors into perpetrators.

The commission sought details of the status of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigation, the FIR registered against the accused police personnel and the identity of the officers allegedly involved in the illegal detention, torture, death and subsequent disposal of Sai Krishna’s body.

The DGP was also asked to provide information about the status of the department and the criminal proceedings against the suspended Krishnalanka Circle Inspector SSVV Nagaraju and other police personnel involved. The report should also detail efforts to retrieve CCTV footage from the Krishnalanka police station and trace the remains of the victim.

The NHRC further directed the authorities to detail the measures taken to ensure the safety of the victim’s mother, Gade Vijaya Lakshmi, and provide details of any interim compensation or relief provided to the next of kin of the deceased.

Meanwhile, the SIT, headed by IGP M. Ravi Prakash, has reportedly sent teams to Hyderabad and Bengaluru to arrest Superintendent of Police Krishnalank J. Nani and Ashok. They allegedly assisted suspended Circle Inspector Nagaraju in moving Sai Krishna’s body and destroying evidence.

The investigation team has also launched a search for Suresh, Nagaraj’s friend, who is allegedly linked to the case.

YSRCP is organizing a protest

Meanwhile, YSR Congress Party leaders have demanded the resignation of Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, holding her responsible for alleged custodial torture, murder and destruction of evidence in the case.

Addressing a protest at Dharna Chowk in Vijayawada on Saturday, former MLA Malladi Vishnu alleged that the SIT was set up to cover up the incident. He demanded that the investigation be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a fair and transparent investigation.

Published – 27 Jun 2026 21:08 IST