HC Defers CBI Plea, Awaits SIT Probe in Sai Krishna Case

Vijayawada:Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday said it would await the outcome of the ongoing Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna at Krishnalanka police station.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Lisa Gill and Justice N. Jayasurya heard a PIL filed by Society for Protection of Constitutional Rights president G. Srinivasa Rao seeking a CBI probe into the case.

Petitioner's counsel Ponnavolu Sudhakar Reddy alleged that Sai Krishna was subjected to custodial torture and died in police custody. He argued that the police were misleading the court and sought a CBI investigation, contending that an SIT probe would not be sufficient.

The counsel submitted that a task force team had brought Sai Krishna from Markapuram and handed him over to Krishnalanka CI Nagaraju, following which he allegedly died.

Advocate General Dammalapati Srinivas, appearing for the state government, said all efforts were being made to ensure a fair and impartial investigation. He informed the court that suspended CI Nagaraju had been arrested and produced before a magistrate.

After hearing both sides, the bench said it would wait for the outcome of the SIT investigation and posted the matter to July 6.