Bihar IG Officer Apprehended in Connection with Five-Year-Old Custodial Torture Allegations
In a significant development, an Inspector General (IG)-rank officer from Bihar was taken into custody on Monday by the Andhra Pradesh Police. The arrest is linked to a case dating back five years, involving allegations of custodial torture against a senior leader of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
Details of the Arrest and the Accused Officer
The officer in question is Sunil Kumar Naik, a 2005-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer who currently holds the position of IG for Fire and Homeguards in Bihar. Naik was apprehended from his official residence. Notably, he had previously served in Andhra Pradesh on an inter-cadre deputation, which is now central to the case against him.
The case stems from an alleged incident in 2021 in Guntur district, where Naik was serving as the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) at the time. The complainant is K Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, who is currently the deputy speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Back in 2021, Raju was the Member of Parliament from Narasapuram.
Background of the Allegations and Political Context
According to Raju's account, he was arrested due to statements he made against the then Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Jaganmohan Reddy, who heads the YSR Congress party. The YSR Congress is presently the main opposition party in the state. Raju has alleged that during his custody, he was subjected to torture.
The case gained renewed momentum in 2024 following the return to power of the TDP in Andhra Pradesh. After the political shift, Raju formally lodged a case, naming Naik and several other police officials in connection with the alleged custodial torture incident.
Legal Proceedings and Next Steps
The Andhra Pradesh Police has initiated legal procedures by moving a court to obtain transit remand for Naik. Once the transit remand is secured, Naik will be transported to Andhra Pradesh for further investigation and legal proceedings related to the case.
This arrest highlights ongoing issues concerning police conduct and accountability, particularly in cases involving political figures. It also underscores the cross-jurisdictional challenges in law enforcement when officers serve in different states. The development is being closely watched as it unfolds, with potential implications for police reforms and inter-state cooperation in handling such sensitive matters.
