Andhra Pradesh High Court hands Gade Sai Krishna custodial death probe to CBI

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna in Vijayawada has been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday (October 16, 2026). The police station where Sai Krishna was in custody, Krushnalanka police station, is under intense scrutiny.

Sai Krishna, 25, was picked up by the Krishnalanka police in May 2026 on a non-bailable warrant and allegedly tortured by Circle Inspector S.S.V.V. Nagaraju and other police personnel for his alleged involvement in a crime committed in Markapuram. Sai Krishna's mother claimed to have seen injury marks on his body during her visit to the police station, and CCTV footage at the station was reportedly missing.

The Supreme Court took note of the incident in September, questioning the police's actions. Sai Krishna's alleged custodial death case has triggered political outrage in Andhra Pradesh, with allegations of torture, evidence tampering, and a cover-up.