The mysterious disappearance of 25-year-old Gade Sai Krishna from police custody in Vijayawada has escalated into a major controversy, with his family alleging brutal torture leading to death and a subsequent cover-up involving secret cremation at Krishnalanka police station.
Sai Krishna, who had multiple prior criminal cases according to police records, was reportedly picked up by officers from the Krishnalanka station around May 9 in connection with an ongoing probe. He has not been seen since, prompting his mother, Gade Vijaya Lakshmi, to file a habeas corpus petition in the Andhra Pradesh High Court seeking his production.
The family claims Sai Krishna was subjected to severe custodial torture by Circle Inspector Nagaraju and that his body was cremated without their knowledge to destroy evidence. Ms. Vijaya Lakshmi has also alleged threats from the police when she visited the station inquiring about her son.
Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President YS Jagan visited the grieving family and demanded swift justice.
Responding to the mounting public outrage and opposition pressure, the state government suspended CI Nagaraju on June 19 and registered a case against him under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including murder, wrongful confinement, and destruction of evidence. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu personally met the victim’s family to assure justice.
On June 21, the government constituted a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by IGP M. Ravi Prakash to conduct an impartial probe into the allegations of illegal detention, custodial torture, murder, and evidence screening. The team has begun questioning station staff, seizing CCTV footage, and recording statements from family members.
The case has triggered sharp political reactions. The YSR Congress Party has demanded a CBI or judicial inquiry, while Congress leaders have echoed calls for an independent probe to restore public trust. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan addressed the issue, stating that criminals have no caste or age and emphasizing zero tolerance for crime, even as he acknowledged the need for accountability.
As the SIT intensifies its investigation, including analysis of call data and crematorium records, the incident has spotlighted concerns over police procedures and custodial practices in the state. Sai Krishna’s family continues to seek closure, while authorities maintain that a thorough and transparent inquiry is underway to uncover the truth behind the 40-day-old disappearance.