Amarnath Slams Naidu Over Custodial Death Remarks, Demands CBI Probe
Former minister and YSR Congress Party leader Gudivada Amarnath has criticized Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, alleging that he misrepresented the reported custodial death of Sai Krishna in Vijayawada by invoking caste considerations and diverting attention from what he called the core issue of custodial accountability.
Amarnath said the chief minister’s remarks during his recent visit to Kurnool were irresponsible and had downplayed the seriousness of the incident. He alleged that the NDA government was attempting to shift public focus away from the alleged lapse in police conduct by projecting the matter through a caste-based narrative.
He further stated that the incident raised disturbing questions, claiming that a young man was allegedly beaten to death while in police custody and later cremated in a manner that, according to him, compromised or destroyed crucial evidence. He said such an occurrence was unprecedented and warranted serious scrutiny.
Responding to reports that Sai Krishna had a criminal background, the YSRCP leader maintained that even if an individual had committed offenses, the authority to determine guilt and award punishment rests solely with the judiciary. He stressed that law enforcement agencies are bound to follow due process and cannot act beyond their constitutional limits.
“Punishment is decided by the courts. The police cannot take the law into their hands or justify the death of a person in custody under any circumstances,” he said, questioning the legality and morality of the alleged actions.
Amarnath also questioned the silence of Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha, noting that while she had weighed in on several other law-and-order issues in the past, she had not publicly addressed this incident, despite its gravity.
Reiterating his demand for a CBI probe, he said an independent and transparent investigation alone could uncover the facts, ensure accountability, and restore public confidence in the case.