Andhra Suspends Cop, Orders Probe Into Man's Disappearance After Custody

The Andhra Pradesh government has suspended a Circle Inspector and ordered an independent inquiry into the disappearance of 25-year-old Gade Sai Krishna from Vijayawada, amid allegations of custodial torture and a police cover-up.

Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday reviewed the case with senior police officials at the Secretariat. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan was also present. The meeting was held soon after Naidu returned from his Singapore tour, where officials, including DGP Harish Kumar Gupta, briefed the leadership on the developments.

Following the meeting, the Chief Minister ordered the suspension of Krishnalanka CI Nagaraju. He also directed that the matter be investigated by a senior IPS officer and stressed that the inquiry must be fair and independent. Pawan Kalyan also called for strict action against those found responsible.

విజయవాడ కృష్ణలంకకు చెందిన గాదె సాయికృష్ణ అదృశ్యం ఘటనను ప్రభుత్వం సీరియస్ గా తీసుకుంది. ఈ వ్యవహారంలో సంబంధిత పోలీస్ స్టేషన్ ఇన్‌స్పెక్టర్ నాగరాజును సస్పెండ్ చేస్తూ నిర్ణయం తీసుకుంది. ఈ ఘటనపై సచివాలయంలో గౌరవ ముఖ్యమంత్రి శ్రీ నారా చంద్రబాబు నాయుడు నేడు పోలీసు ఉన్నతాధికారులతో…

— CMO Andhra Pradesh (@AndhraPradeshCM) June 17, 2026

The case relates to Sai Krishna, who allegedly went missing after being taken into police custody in May. 

Sai Krishna's family has accused Inspector Nagaraju of torturing him to death and secretly cremating his body without informing them. These allegations surfaced after his mother spent weeks searching for him, approached senior police officials, and later moved the court, leading to the government ordering a probe.

According to the family, Sai Krishna has been missing since May 9. His mother, Gade Vijaya Lakshmi, alleged that he was picked up by Krishnalanka police from Markapuram and never returned. She later filed a habeas corpus petition in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, seeking directions to produce her son in court.

The High Court asked the police to trace Sai Krishna and present him before the bench. However, the government told the court that his whereabouts were still unknown. The next hearing in the case is scheduled for June 29.

During the hearing, Sai Krishna's lawyer said he may have died due to custodial torture and alleged that the police were trying to hide the facts. The court has directed authorities to take immediate steps to trace him.

Meanwhile, YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has demanded a CBI probe into the alleged custodial death. He accused senior police officials of being involved in a cover-up and said suspending one officer was not enough.

#WATCH | Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh: Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna at Krishna Lanka Police Station and sought strict action against all those responsible

After visiting… pic.twitter.com/PmbEuyIcy5

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2026

Reddy visited Sai Krishna's family and described the case as "most heart-rending incidents." He also linked it to another case in which a man allegedly died by suicide in May after accusing Inspector Nagaraju of harassment in a video message.

"Suspending the CI alone is not enough. Everyone responsible, including senior officials, must be held accountable," he said.

వైయస్ జగన్ ముందు సాయికృష్ణ తల్లి కన్నీటి పర్యంతం!

YS Jagan seeks CBI inquiry into Sai Krishna death

Vijayawada, June 18: Former Chief Minister and YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday demanded a CBI inquiry into the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna at… pic.twitter.com/kwn9ZaG93f

— YSR Congress Party (@YSRCParty) June 18, 2026

Reddy demanded a CBI investigation, saying only an independent agency could bring out the truth. He also alleged that attempts were being made to portray Sai Krishna as a criminal after his disappearance and assured support to the family in their fight for justice.

YSRCP leaders have also termed the IPS-led inquiry an "eyewash" and accused the government of trying to shield higher officials.

(With inputs from agencies)