CBI takes over probe into custodial death of Vijayawada detainee
Hyderabad/Vijayawada: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has appointed Ch V Narendra Deve, an officer of Additional Superintendent of Police rank, as the Investigation Officer (IO) in the probe into the custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna in Vijayawada, officials said on Monday.
A CBI team led by K Siva Subramani, Deputy Inspector General of Police, visited Vijayawada and initiated inquiries at Krishnalanka police station to collect information on the circumstances surrounding the death, the agency said. The move came a day after the federal agency registered cases against seven police officers in connection with the incident.
- The victim, identified as Gade Sai Krishna, was detained by the local police in relation to a murder case.
- Police have alleged that Krishna was assaulted while in custody and later died.
- According to the CBI's initial account, the body was shifted to a graveyard and final rites were performed without informing the parents.
The CBI said its team has begun gathering records and statements at the police station where the detainee was held. It is likely to record statements of senior police officers in the district and to examine the seven accused personnel, which include a suspended inspector, a head constable and other staff named in the FIRs, the agency added.
“An ASP-rank officer, Ch V Narendra Deve, has been appointed as the Investigation Officer and a CBI team led by DIG K Siva Subramani has started probe work at Krishnalanka police station,” the CBI said.
Officials did not release further operational details of the ongoing probe. The registration of cases against seven police officers and the agency’s assumption of the investigation mark a rapid federal response to an incident that has raised questions about custodial conduct and procedural lapses.
What the CBI is examining
The scope of the CBI's preliminary actions, as reported, includes:
- Collection of station records and custody logs from Krishnalanka police station.
- Recording statements of senior and subordinate police officials connected to the custody and disposal of the body.
- Forensic and medical documentation review relating to the detainee’s death and the subsequent handling of the body.
Investigative agencies in India typically begin by securing documents and taking witness statements at the place where custody was exercised. The CBI's decision to appoint an officer of ASP rank as IO signals that the agency intends to conduct a detailed, on-ground inquiry.
| Item | Reported detail |
|---|---|
| Victim | Gade Sai Krishna |
| Police station | Krishnalanka police station, Vijayawada |
| CBI team lead | K Siva Subramani, DIG |
| Appointed IO | Ch V Narendra Deve (ASP rank) |
| Accused in FIR | Seven police officers, including a suspended inspector and a head constable |
The CBI's entry into the case follows the registration of multiple FIRs by the federal agency. The investigation is expected to include detailed examination of the conduct of the police personnel who detained the deceased and of the decisions that led to the handling of the body without notifying next of kin.
As the inquiry proceeds, the CBI will determine whether the actions of the accused officers constituted criminal offences under the Indian Penal Code and other relevant statutes. The agency has not yet announced a timeline for completion of the probe or further procedural steps such as arrests or charge-sheets.
The development will be closely watched in Vijayawada and among legal and civil-society observers who have been vocal about custodial accountability. The CBI's investigative findings and any subsequent legal action will be central to addressing questions about custodial practices and institutional responsibility in this case.
