Custodial Death Allegations in Kurnool Prompt High Court Intervention in Andhra Pradesh
A public interest litigation has been filed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court following the suspicious death of Mala Gangamma in Kurnool. Her family alleges she died due to police torture during an investigation, prompting demands for a CBI probe.
Highlights
- •A PIL has been filed in the Andhra Pradesh High Court regarding the alleged custodial death of Mala Gangamma.
- •The victim had previously approached the court over police dissatisfaction regarding her son's missing person case.
- •Allegations include severe physical torture by SIT officials and the absence of a post-mortem examination.
- •Kurnool SP S. Vikrant Patil has denied the allegations of torture, citing hospital treatment as the cause of death.
The state of Andhra Pradesh is currently grappling with heightened tensions following allegations of another custodial death in Kurnool. This incident has arrived on the heels of a separate controversy involving an alleged death in police custody in Vijayawada, further intensifying public and legal scrutiny regarding police conduct in the region.
The latest case centers on the death of Mala Gangamma, a resident of Badinehal village in the Kowthalam mandal of the Mantralayam constituency. Gangamma passed away on May 31, and her family has formally alleged that her death was not the result of natural causes but was instead triggered by severe torture during a police interrogation. This serious accusation has prompted the filing of a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Andhra Pradesh High Court by Kasukurthi Agaman Raj, seeking a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her demise.
Details of the Custodial Death Allegations
According to the details outlined in the PIL, the origins of the matter trace back to a missing person complaint (Crime No. 111/2024) filed by Gangamma on November 13, 2024, concerning her son, Veerendra. Expressing deep dissatisfaction with the local police investigation, she had previously turned to the judiciary, which resulted in the court ordering an investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
The petitioner, Agaman Raj, claims that officials from the SIT subjected Gangamma to intense physical torture during the investigation process. This alleged violence reportedly led to her being hospitalized and eventually succumbing to her injuries. Furthermore, concerns have been raised regarding her dying declaration, which stated she died due to a fall—a claim now under significant suspicion.
The investigation into this custodial death has been further complicated by procedural irregularities. The victim's daughter has alleged that no post-mortem examination was conducted despite a formal complaint being filed after Gangamma died in the hospital. Additionally, the body was buried in a rushed manner, with reports noting the presence of police personnel at the burial site, which has only added to the public skepticism.
In response to the mounting pressure, Kurnool Superintendent of Police S. Vikrant Patil stated that the department acted in accordance with the complaint lodged by the daughter. Patil maintained that Gangamma passed away while undergoing medical treatment and that the presence of officers during the funeral rites was standard procedure given that a case had been registered against her. Meanwhile, reports suggest that another individual, Byagari Dargappa, who was interrogated alongside Gangamma, is currently facing severe health issues, allegedly due to physical assault while in custody.
The petitioner continues to demand a CBI inquiry, financial compensation for the family, and the initiation of criminal proceedings against the officers involved.
