Another Custodial Death in AP Puts Police on the Edge in Kurnool

 Kurnool: Even before the controversy surrounding the alleged custodial death of Saikrishna in Vijayawada could subside, another case of a Dalit woman dying allegedly due to torture during interrogation police in Kurnool has put police on the edge. The latter case has taken a serious turn after the family of the latter victim have approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court.

Mala Gangamma, a resident of Badinehal village in Kowthalam mandal within the Mantralayam constituency, died on May 31. There are allegations that Gangamma death is not natural but a result of police torture.

Raising questions over her death, petitioner Kasukurthi Agaman Raj has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the State High Court by Kasukurthi Agaman Raj, alleging custodial violence leading to her death.

According to the petitioner, Gangamma had earlier filed a missing complaint (Crime No. 111/2024) on November 13, 2024, regarding her son Veerendra. Dissatisfied with the police investigation, she approached the court, which subsequently ordered an SIT probe.

Agaman Raj has alleged in his petition that SIT officials subjected Gangamma to severe torture during the course of the investigation, which led to her hospitalisation and eventual death. Suspicions have been raised over her dying declaration that she died due to a fall.

Another key allegation is that despite a complaint by Gangamma’s daughter following her death at the hospital, no post-mortem examination had been conducted. Her body had also been buried hastily. The presence of police personnel during the burial has raised several questions.

There are also reports that another individual, Byagari Dargappa, who had been questioned along with Gangamma, is currently suffering from serious health issues allegedly due to police assault.

Petitioner Agaman Raj has urged the High Court to order a CBI inquiry into the case, provide compensation to the victim’s family, and initiate criminal proceedings against the responsible police officials.

Responding to the allegations, Kurnool superintendent of police S. Vikrant Patil said, “We have acted based on the complaint given by her daughter. Gangamma died while undergoing treatment in the hospital. As a case had already been registered against her, police personnel might have been present during the burial. There is no other intention behind it.”

Allegations are surfacing that a senior police official played a role in ensuring that no case is registered over Gangamma’s death and her last rites are performed swiftly.