IPS Officer Sunil Naik Questioned Over Alleged Custodial Torture in Andhra Pradesh

Senior IPS officer M Sunil Kumar Naik was on Thursday questioned by the Andhra Pradesh Police in connection with the alleged custodial torture of Deputy Speaker K Raghurama Krishna Raju during the previous YSRCP administration . The interrogation, which lasted from 10 am to 5 pm , is expected to continue over five days , according to a police official.

Naik, a Bihar cadre IPS officer , was on state deputation during the tenure of the YSRCP government and had reportedly supervised Raju’s arrest while serving as the DIG of CID. The Deputy Speaker was arrested in 2021, during the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, for allegedly making derogatory remarks against the then Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy . Following his arrest, Raju alleged that he was subjected to torture while in police custody.

After the TDP-led NDA government came to power in 2024 , Raju promptly filed cases against several officials and the former Chief Minister , accusing them of custodial torture and an attempt to murder him . The ongoing investigation aims to determine the role of Naik and others involved in the alleged incident.

Raju, who represents the Undi Assembly constituency in West Godavari district , had earlier served as Narasapuram MP from YSRCP . The case has attracted significant attention, given the high-profile nature of the individuals involved and the serious allegations of abuse of power during police custody.

The Andhra Pradesh Police have indicated that the interrogation of Naik is part of a broader probe into the alleged custodial torture and related irregularities during Raju’s arrest, signaling a continued focus on accountability in high-profile political cases.