Saikrishna Custodial Death Raises Questions Over Police Accountability: YS Jagan

YSR Congress Party president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy described the custodial death of Gade Saikrishna as another setback for the Chandrababu government, raising questions over the circumstances surrounding his death and the subsequent disappearance of his body.

Jagan said the death of a person while in police custody in Vijayawada was deeply concerning, particularly because the whereabouts of Saikrishna’s body allegedly remained unknown after his death. He said he had personally met the bereaved family and expressed solidarity with them.

According to Jagan, Saikrishna was arrested by the police and taken into custody before he allegedly died at a police station. He claimed that the body subsequently went missing and questioned how such a situation could have occurred while the deceased was under police custody.

Jagan said responsibility should extend to senior police officials, pointing to the chain of custody involving the Task Force and the Vijayawada Police Commissionerate.

He alleged that Saikrishna was initially taken into custody by the Task Force before being handed over to a police station under the Commissioner’s jurisdiction. Jagan also claimed that Saikrishna’s mother had repeatedly approached the Police Commissioner and DGP seeking help, but her complaints were allegedly not acted upon.

He argued that the sequence of events warranted greater scrutiny of the actions of officials who were responsible for the victim while he remained in custody.

Jagan also referred to allegations from other families, claiming that some young people had faced pressure from police to participate in illegal activities.

He cited the account of a youth’s father, who allegedly said his son had refused to carry out unlawful activities demanded by police and later died by suicide after being unable to withstand the pressure.

Jagan maintained that the allegation was based on the father’s own account and not merely a political claim.

The Supreme Court’s intervention has added another dimension to the case. On September 23, the apex court issued directions in connection with the matter and sought relevant case details by September 30, according to reports. Proceedings related to the case before the Andhra Pradesh High Court were also stayed.

Meanwhile, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is investigating Saikrishna’s death in custody and the subsequent disappearance of his body. Cases have been registered against several police personnel as the probe continues.