The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Andhra Pradesh Police, probing the custodial death of 25-year-old Gadi Sai Krishna at Krishna Lanka police station in Vijayawada, has detained a close aide of arrested police inspector SSVV Nagaraju on suspicion of playing a key role in disposing of the victim’s body after the incident, people familiar with the matter said on Saturday.
A senior police official familiar with the investigation said that Suresh, a close friend of Nagaraju, was detained by the Special Investigation Team on Friday evening. The official said that Suresh was believed to have played a key role in transporting Sai Krishna’s body from the police station and cremating it in a graveyard.
“The authorities are currently interrogating Suresh to determine the sequence of events that took place immediately after the alleged custodial death. After getting all the leads in the case, the police will formally arrest him and produce him before the local court,” the official said.
Preliminary findings suggest that Suresh provided support to CI Nagaraju after the custodial death. Investigators are also examining the nature of Suresh’s involvement in police affairs and his relationship with the fugitive officer.
The special court is also investigating allegations that Suresh acted as an intermediary between the police and Sai Krishna’s family after the incident, and is seeking to determine the extent of his role in the case.
Investigators have also identified two senior policemen — Ganjam Nani and Ashok — who are absconding since the case was registered on June 19.
“Special police teams have been sent to Hyderabad and Bengaluru to search for the two absconding policemen,” the official said.
The special court has already sent notices to the two residences of the two police chiefs, ordering them to appear before the investigation team for questioning. Efforts are underway to trace and arrest the two officers.
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Saturday accepted a petition filed by Sai Krishna’s mother, Jad Vijayalakshmi, seeking transfer of the investigation from the state police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or any other independent agency deemed appropriate by the court, people familiar with the matter said.
It also requested that the investigation be conducted under the direct supervision of the Supreme Court to ensure transparency and integrity.
A bench comprising Justices Ravi Nath Tilhari and Subhindu Samanta posted the matter for hearing next week.
In her petition, Vijayalakshmi claimed that a fair investigation by the local police is impossible, citing the remand report issued by the Special Investigation Team, which allegedly states that personnel of Krishna Lanka Police Station and Task Force were involved in Sai Krishna’s disappearance and destruction of evidence.
She alleged that attempts were made to protect senior police officials and questioned why NTR District Police Commissioner SV Rajasekhara Babu remained silent for 40 days.
