Vijayawada Lock Up Death Downs Naidus Image

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Though such lock-up death cases were not uncommon in Andhra Pradesh, the present case which was largely ignored by the Chandrababu Naidu government for over a month has drawn massive criticism from all quarters.

“Since the law-and-order subject is handled by the chief minister himself, the lock-up death of Sai Krishna has damaged Naidu’s so-called global image,” said an analyst.

“What is worse, the incident happened within a few kilometres from Naidu’s residence,” he said.

The controversy, which has now reached the Andhra Pradesh high court, has emerged as a major challenge for the Chandrababu Naidu-led government.

The high court, hearing a habeas corpus petition filed by Sai Krishna’s mother, directed authorities to produce him before the court on June 29.

According to allegations, Sai Krishna was picked up by Vijayawada’s Krishnalanka police from Markapur in Prakasam district last month. Since then, his family claims they have received no information regarding his whereabouts.

His mother reportedly spent weeks approaching various police officials in Vijayawada seeking information.

Despite repeated visits to police stations and even the office of Vijayawada Police Commissioner Rajasekhar Babu, she allegedly failed to obtain any clarity regarding her son’s status.

With no response forthcoming, she approached the high court through a habeas corpus petition seeking directions to trace and produce her son.

During the hearing, the court reportedly expressed serious displeasure over the conduct of the police.

The government subsequently sought two weeks’ time to ascertain Sai Krishna’s whereabouts, a request accepted by the court, which directed authorities to produce him on June 29.

Meanwhile, reports and allegations circulating in political circles claim that Sai Krishna may have died in police custody and that his body was secretly disposed of.

These allegations, though yet to be officially established, have generated widespread concern and intensified scrutiny of the police department.

In response to the controversy, authorities initially transferred Krishnalanka Circle Inspector Nagaraju to the vacancy reserve.

However, amid mounting criticism from opposition parties, Chandrababu Naidu directed officials to suspend the officer and order a formal investigation.

An IPS-level probe has since been ordered, with East Godavari Superintendent of Police Narasimha Kishore appointed as the inquiry officer.

The case has now become a major test for the Naidu dministration, with growing demands for transparency and accountability.

Political observers believe that any inconsistencies in the investigation or failure to establish the facts could lead to calls for a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).