2 Cops Surrender in Sai Lock-Up Death Case

In a key development in the alleged custodial death of 25-year-old Gade Sai Krishna, two head constables on Monday surrendered before police.

Ashok and Nani surrendered at the Suryaraopet ACP office.

The duo, serving as head constables at Krishnalanka police station, had allegedly gone into hiding after the arrest of suspended Circle Inspector (Station House Officer) S.S.V.V. Nagaraju.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the case, had found during the investigation that the two head constables were assisting Nagaraju.

The SIT arrested Nagaraju on June 23. The next day, a city court sent him to judicial remand till July 8.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh High Court adjourned the hearing to Tuesday on a Habeas Corpus petition filed by Sai Krishna’s mother, Vijaya Lakshmi.

The SIT reportedly submitted its preliminary report to the High Court, giving details of the case registered and the action taken so far.

The SIT is probing the allegations of wrongful confinement, murder and causing the disappearance of evidence against the suspended SHO.

A case was registered on June 19 under sections 127 (4), 127 (6), 103 (1) and 238 of Bharat Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) on a complaint by Sai Krishna’s mother, Vijaya Lakshmi, who alleged that her son was tortured and beaten to death in custody.

The SIT last week informed the lower court that Sai Krishna died of the injuries inflicted on him in custody. The court was also told that the CCTV footage at the police station was deliberately deleted.

Sai Krishna, who had some cases and non-bailable warrants pending against him, was picked up on May 6 at Markapuram and was shifted to Krishnalanka police station. He was kept in illegal custody, and he subsequently disappeared, the SIT said.

The court was informed that to hide the lock-up death, Sai Krishna’s body was taken to an undisclosed location. Attempts were made to bury or burn the body. The SIT stated that it was investigating to ascertain where the body was disposed of.