Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
The Supreme Court has questioned the Andhra Pradesh government and police over the custodial death of 25-year-old Gade Sai Krishna in Vijayawada, raising concerns over the delayed FIR, missing body and disappearance of CCTV footage. The court indicated that it could intervene and order a CBI probe if the Andhra Pradesh High Court does not pass such directions.
The three-judge bench has stayed related proceedings before the Andhra Pradesh High Court and sought case records in a sealed cover. The Central Bureau of Investigation has also been made a respondent, while notices have been issued to the state DGP, Vijayawada Police Commissioner and ACP.
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The case has now triggered a fresh political attack by the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) on the Chandrababu Naidu-led Andhra Pradesh government, with former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy demanding accountability from senior police officials.
SC QUESTIONS HANDLING OF SAI KRISHNA CASE
The Supreme Court expressed grave concern over the circumstances surrounding Sai Krishna’s disappearance after he was taken into police custody.
The court questioned the delay in registering the FIR, the disappearance or destruction of CCTV footage from the police station and the fact that Sai Krishna’s body could not be traced. It also questioned why action and accountability appeared to be concentrated on lower-level police personnel while the role of senior officials had not been adequately examined.
The Supreme Court’s proceedings come against the backdrop of an investigation by an Andhra Pradesh Special Investigation Team (SIT). Earlier court records show that Sai Krishna was allegedly apprehended by Task Force personnel at Markapur on May 6 and brought to Krishna Lanka Police Station in Vijayawada. The prosecution has alleged that he was never produced before a magistrate.
The SIT has since investigated the alleged custodial death. Recent reports based on the SIT investigation said Sai Krishna was allegedly shifted to an abandoned building after being beaten at the police station and that his body was subsequently cremated.
COURT TO SUPERVISE PROCEEDINGS
The Supreme Court has sought the relevant records from the Andhra Pradesh High Court in a sealed cover and restrained the High Court from proceeding with related matters while the top court considers the case.
The court has issued notices to the Andhra Pradesh DGP, Vijayawada Police Commissioner and ACP. It has also impleaded the CBI as a respondent in the connected proceedings. The matter is scheduled to be heard again in October.
During the hearing, counsel representing the Andhra Pradesh government acknowledged that there had been procedural lapses and delays in the handling of the case.
The Supreme Court’s intervention comes after the Andhra Pradesh High Court had been hearing petitions seeking a CBI probe into Sai Krishna’s alleged custodial death and the disappearance of his body. The High Court had reserved its verdict on the petitions earlier this week.
JAGAN ATTACKS NAIDU GOVERNMENT
Following the Supreme Court’s observations, YSRCP leaders stepped up their criticism of the Chandrababu Naidu government.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy described the Supreme Court’s intervention as a major setback for the state government and demanded accountability at the senior level.
Jagan argued that the Task Force and Krishna Lanka police station involved in Sai Krishna’s detention function under the jurisdiction of senior police officials. He questioned why responsibility should be limited to lower-level personnel and called for the DGP and Police Commissioner to be held directly accountable.
Jagan also said a CBI investigation should establish responsibility for Sai Krishna’s death and the disappearance of his body, alleging that a probe independent of the state police was necessary.
The Supreme Court’s proceedings have therefore brought renewed focus on both the alleged custodial death and the questions surrounding the police investigation, while the YSRCP has used the court’s observations to intensify its attack on the Naidu government.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
