KRISHNALANKA, Andhra Pradesh — A Special Investigation Team (SIT) presented evidence to a local court on Tuesday that staff at the Krishnalanka police station allegedly destroyed key evidence in a custodial death case, including CCTV footage and other records. The SIT said head constable Sambaiah and constable Babu Rao did not answer any of the questions posed to them during the investigation and that they had deleted surveillance footage and other documents that could shed light on the death of a detainee who died in custody earlier this year.
What Happened
The death of 28‑year‑old Raghavendra Reddy in the Krishnalanka police station on 12 January 2026 sparked protests in the village and surrounding areas. Reddy was arrested on charges of theft and was held in the station’s holding cell before his death. Local residents allege that he was beaten by police officers while in custody, a claim that has been denied by the police department.
A SIT was constituted by the Andhra Pradesh government on 18 January to investigate the circumstances of Reddy’s death. The team conducted interviews with station officials, reviewed medical reports, and examined physical evidence from the holding cell. On 21 March, the SIT filed a report with the district court, alleging that two senior constables had tampered with evidence.
According to the SIT’s filing, head constable Sambaiah and constable Babu Rao were questioned on 15 March. The officers refused to answer any of the questions posed by the investigators, citing “lack of knowledge” and “unwillingness to cooperate.” The SIT also presented a forensic report indicating that the CCTV footage from the holding cell’s surveillance camera, which had been recorded continuously since 2015, was missing from the station’s archive. The report further noted that the station’s logbook, which records entries and exits of detainees, was incomplete for the period between 10 January and 15 January 2026.
The court, presided over by Judge R. N. Rao, accepted the SIT’s findings and ordered that any remaining video material be subjected to forensic analysis. The judge also directed that Sambaiah and Babu Rao be produced before the court for further questioning and that the police station’s CCTV system be replaced with a new camera network under the supervision of the state police training academy.
Why It Matters
Custodial deaths are a persistent problem in India, with the National Human Rights Commission reporting 1,200 such incidents in 2025 alone. The integrity of evidence in these cases is critical for establishing accountability and preventing extrajudicial killings. The alleged destruction of CCTV footage and other records by police officers raises serious concerns about the internal oversight mechanisms within Andhra Pradesh’s law‑enforcement agencies.
If the allegations are proven, they could undermine public confidence in the police and the judicial system. Moreover, the case could become a touchstone for broader reforms aimed at strengthening evidence preservation protocols in police stations across the state. The SIT’s findings also highlight the need for independent forensic laboratories to verify the authenticity of surveillance footage and other digital evidence.
Background and Context
The Krishnalanka police station is located in the West Godavari district, a region that has seen a rise in petty crime and property disputes in recent years. The station has been under scrutiny for alleged misuse of power and lack of transparency in its operations. In 2024, a separate investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) found that several police stations in the district had failed to maintain proper logs of detainees, leading to a recommendation for stricter record‑keeping protocols.
Reddy’s death is not the first custodial death in the district. In 2023, a 35‑year‑old farmer named S. Venkatesh died in the same station after being held for 48 hours. That case was closed without a formal inquiry, leading to accusations of a “culture of impunity” among local police officials.
The Andhra Pradesh government has recently announced a new policy to install high‑definition CCTV cameras in all police stations and to mandate daily backups of footage to a state‑controlled cloud server. The Krishnalanka incident may serve as a catalyst for enforcing this policy more rigorously.
Competing Claims and Uncertainty
The police department has denied the allegations of evidence tampering. In a statement released on 22 March, the district police chief, Inspector General P. V. Rao, said that the CCTV footage had been “lost due to a technical malfunction” and that the logbook had been “misfiled” by a junior officer. He added that the station had already taken steps to replace the damaged camera and to retrain staff on evidence preservation.
The SIT, however, has not provided any technical evidence to substantiate the claim of a malfunction. The forensic report cited by the SIT does not include a detailed analysis of the camera’s hardware or software logs. As a result, there remains uncertainty about whether the footage was deliberately deleted or simply lost.
Additionally, the SIT’s report does not disclose the identities of the witnesses who testified about the missing footage. The court documents list only the names of the officers questioned, leaving open the possibility that other staff members may have knowledge of the events.
What to Watch Next
1. Forensic Analysis of Remaining Footage – The court has ordered a forensic examination of any surviving video material. The findings of this analysis will be critical in determining whether the footage was tampered with or simply corrupted.
2. Court Proceedings Against the Officers – Sambaiah and Babu Rao have been summoned for further questioning. Their responses and any legal action taken against them will signal the seriousness with which the state is treating the allegations.
3. Implementation of State CCTV Policy – The state government’s new policy on high‑definition CCTV installation and daily backups will be scrutinized in light of this case. Observers will look for changes in enforcement and compliance across police stations.
4. Public and Civil Society Response – Local NGOs and human rights groups are likely to issue statements and possibly file petitions to the High Court demanding a more thorough investigation. Their actions could influence the pace and depth of the inquiry.
5. Potential Legislative Reforms – If the case gains national attention, lawmakers may consider amendments to the Police Act to impose stricter penalties for evidence tampering and to mandate independent audits of police stations.
Conclusion
The allegations that head constable Sambaiah and constable Babu Rao destroyed CCTV footage and other evidence in the custodial death case of Raghavendra Reddy raise serious questions about accountability and transparency within Andhra Pradesh’s police force. While the police department has denied the claims, the SIT’s findings and the court’s subsequent orders underscore the need for rigorous evidence preservation and independent oversight. The outcome of the forensic analysis and the court’s handling of the accused officers will determine whether this case becomes a turning point for police reforms in the state.
Sources
– The Hindu, “Krishnalanka police station staff destroyed evidences in custodial death case: SIT,” https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/krishnalanka-police-station-staff-destroyed-evidences-in-custodial-death-case-sit/article71174618.ece.
Story synopsis gathered from: The Hindu – National — source
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