- Crossing all limits and behaving as though they are above the law.
- Certain police personnel committing crimes that surpass those of criminals.
- Harassment and brutality against accused persons.
- Assaults and excesses against ordinary citizens.
- Custodial torture and lock-up deaths.
- Allegations that Gade Sai Krishna died in police custody in Vijayawada under the directions of senior police officials.
- Dalit youth Kranthi Kumar died by suicide after allegedly facing harassment by Krishna Lanka Circle Inspector.
- A woman in Santakaviti died by suicide by jumping in front of a train after allegedly facing police harassment in a theft case.
- In Kurnool district, a mother who approached the police seeking information about her missing son was allegedly beaten to death.
If those entrusted with protecting society become perpetrators of crime, can law and order survive? As part of the implementation of what is described as “Red Book governance,” it is claimed that sections of the police force, acting under the directions of those in power, have abandoned their constitutional responsibilities and instead demonstrated unquestioning loyalty to political authorities. Believing themselves to be above the law and immune from accountability, they are accused of resorting to assaults, intimidation, and abuse of power. In several instances, they are further accused of torturing suspects to the point of death. The most striking example cited is the alleged custodial death of Gade Sai Krishna in Vijayawada. During the two years of coalition rule, numerous incidents involving alleged police excesses have become subjects of widespread public discussion. Some of those incidents are outlined below.
Following allegations that Krishna Lanka Police Station Circle Inspector Nagaraju and other police personnel in Vijayawada tortured Gade Sai Krishna to death and subsequently disposed of his body, concerns have intensified across the state regarding police misconduct. Critics contend that officers entrusted with maintaining law and order are instead taking the law into their own hands and acting like criminals. In another incident linked to the same Krishna Lanka Police Station, Dalit youth Kranthi Kumar died by suicide after recording a selfie video in which he stated that sustained harassment by Circle Inspector Nagaraju had driven him to take the extreme step. In Ramarayapuram of Vizianagaram district, a woman allegedly died by suicide by jumping in front of a train after being unable to bear police harassment in connection with a theft case. In Kautalam village of Kurnool district, a Dalit woman was allegedly beaten to death by Special Investigation Team officials during interrogation, after which, it is claimed, a false narrative was created that she had died after slipping and falling, and her body was buried on the instructions of a senior IPS officer.
28-01-2025
A 28-year-old youth died by suicide after consuming pesticide in front of a police station following the registration of an attempt-to-murder case against him, which was allegedly filed under pressure from leaders of the ruling party. R. Gangadhara, a resident of Motnutalapalle village in Pulivendula mandal of YSR district, was booked after Gaddam Gangadhar lodged a complaint accusing him of attempting to murder him. The deceased’s parents allege that Gangadhara took the extreme step after being subjected to severe harassment by the Pulivendula Circle Inspector in connection with the case.
06-06-2025
Gutta Lakshminarayana, a resident of Peddanemilipuri village in Rajupalem mandal of Palnadu district and a YSRCP sympathizer, was engaged in selling household appliances on an installment basis. He had helped certain customers obtain goods on trust, but they later defaulted on payments. Subsequently, the supplier, YNR, allegedly pressured him to pay ₹35 lakh. Rajupalem police summoned Lakshminarayana to the police station and allegedly harassed him. The dispute was later taken before Sattenapalli DSP Hanumantha Rao. It is stated that the DSP abused Lakshminarayana, questioning why, as a member of the Kamma community, he was associated with the YSRCP. Following this, Lakshminarayana allegedly attempted suicide by consuming pesticide.
17-06-2025
Family members allege that Korlakunta Nagamalleswara Rao, Deputy Sarpanch of Rentapalla village in Palnadu district, died by suicide after being unable to withstand attacks by coalition leaders and harassment by the police. Following the election results, police reportedly took the 37-year-old to Sattenapalli Police Station as part of bind-over proceedings and threatened him. Distressed by the incident, Nagamalleswara Rao consumed pesticide on June 6. He succumbed while undergoing treatment on June 9.
12-07-2025
Bharath, a resident of Aitanagar in Tenali, failed to appear before a court hearing in connection with a case, following which a non-bailable warrant was issued against him. A team comprising Tenali Three Town ID Party Constable Murali and other plainclothes police personnel went to arrest him. On seeing the police, Bharath reportedly ran and jumped into a nearby pond. Police pursued him, apprehended him, and took him into custody. Two days later, Bharath’s body was found in the same pond. His relatives allege that his body bore severe injuries and that he had been killed and his body dumped in the water.
11-05-2025
Former MPP and TDP leader Muppavarapu Veeraiah Chowdary of Prakasam district was murdered by rivals within his own party in April 2025. A person suspected in the case was reportedly brought to the Ongole Police Training Office and subjected to a secret interrogation. During the interrogation, police allegedly assaulted the suspect severely, resulting in fatal injuries. It is reported that a senior police officer threatened the deceased’s family not to disclose the incident and allegedly provided them with money to ensure that the funeral was conducted quietly without attracting public attention.
01-06-2025
In connection with the disappearance of gold ornaments from a jewellery shop in Tenali, Siddesh Shivaji Gherpade (35), a resident of Maharashtra, was taken in for police questioning. It is alleged that he was subjected to both physical and mental harassment during the interrogation. On the same night, Siddesh died by suicide by hanging himself at his residence. The incident came to light after his suicide note, posted as his WhatsApp status, went viral.
05-06-2025
Reddyam Siva Lakshminarayana Reddy, a resident of Dumpalagattu village in Khajipet mandal of YSR district, along with nine others, was summoned to the police station on suspicion of gambling. Despite repeatedly maintaining that he had not participated in gambling, police allegedly subjected him to severe harassment and also booked him in false cases accusing him of selling ganja. Deeply distressed by the alleged harassment, Lakshminarayana Reddy died by suicide by coming into contact with electric wires after being released on bail.
20-07-2025
In the case relating to the rape and murder of a minor girl in Muchchumarri village of Nandyal district, allegations emerged that Dalit suspect Ambati Hussain died in police custody. It is reported that Ambati Prabhudas and Hussain were severely assaulted by police personnel at Miduturu Police Station. According to the deceased’s relatives, Hussain later died and was subsequently shifted to the Nandyal Government Hospital.
30-07-2025
R. Chinnabalayya (45), a resident of Bukkapatnam village in Kondapuram mandal of YSR Kadapa district, allegedly attempted suicide by pouring petrol over himself within the premises of the District Court, stating that he was unable to bear police harassment in connection with a land dispute.
23-10-2025
TDP leader Tatika Narayana Rao (62), who was accused of attempting to sexually assault a 13-year-old girl studying at the Jagannathagiri Gurukula School in Tuni mandal of Kakinada district, died by suicide. According to the police version, Narayana Rao, a resident of Kondavarapeta in Tuni, was arrested and, after undergoing a medical examination, was being transported from the Rural Police Station to Tuni to be produced before a magistrate. During the journey, he reportedly asked to relieve himself, prompting police to stop the vehicle near Komati Cheruvu. When he failed to return, police searched the area and, after deploying expert swimmers, recovered his body from the water the following morning.
18-02-2026
Kulavardhan (27), the accused in the rape and murder of a seven-year-old girl in Madanapalle of Annamayya district, died by suicide. Police recovered his body from Tirugangulappa Cheruvu, located beside the highway service road near Kanasanavaripalle in Kurabalakota mandal of Tamballapalle constituency.
19-04-2026
A man in police custody in connection with a theft case died by suicide inside the police station. Dommari Venkata Subbaiah (38), a resident of Belum Singavaram in Kolimigundla mandal of Nandyal district, along with two others, was accused of stealing a new tractor. After recovering the tractor, police took Venkata Subbaiah and Teja into custody. Early the next morning, Venkata Subbaiah was found hanging with a lungi. Allegations have been made that he took his own life after being unable to withstand police assault.
06-05-2026
Pallapu Renuka (39), a resident of Chirala who was pursuing divorce proceedings, became acquainted with a court constable named Venkateswara Reddy and lived with him for some time. After Venkateswara Reddy married another woman, Renuka filed a case against him. The two recently appeared before the Crossuru Sub-Inspector for an inquiry. Later that evening, after having refreshments, Renuka fell from the first floor of the building and sustained serious injuries. She was shifted to AIIMS Mangalagiri, where she later died while undergoing treatment. Her relatives allege that Renuka’s death resulted from an assault by Constable Venkateswara Reddy.
18-08-2024
In Tirupati district, disciplinary action was initiated in connection with an illegal gravel transportation case. Head Constable S. Basavayya and Home Guard Sudhakar Yadav were suspended for alleged negligence in the discharge of their duties. Chandragiri Circle Inspector was also issued a charge memo for allegedly failing to act despite having information about the illegal transportation.
25-09-2024
Nagam Ayyappa, a resident of Pattiseema village in Polavaram mandal of Eluru district, allegedly attempted suicide by consuming pesticide. He had been booked by police after transporting sand in a tractor from the Kovvada canal, reportedly believing that sand transportation was permitted free of cost. It is alleged that a constable named Bobby assaulted him, following which Ayyappa attempted suicide due to mental distress.
05-10-2024
A road accident occurred near Madhurawada in Visakhapatnam in which an elderly woman sustained serious injuries after being hit by a motorcycle ridden by a minor. Since the minor was the son of a police constable, allegations were raised regarding negligence by PM Palem Police in handling the case. It is further alleged that the police failed to act on the complaint lodged by the victim’s family.
08-10-2024
Four Circle Inspectors deployed for security arrangements during the Vijayawada Dasara festivities were reportedly caught gambling. Those identified included Vijayawada Two Town CI Kondala Rao, Penugonda CI Rayudu Vijay Kumar from West Godavari district, Cyber Crime CI Pallepu Srinu, and his friend Raghu, who was serving in the Eluru Range VR as a Circle Inspector. A video purportedly showing them gambling surfaced.
10-10-2024
A local Circle Inspector, Sub-Inspector, and police constables allegedly assaulted advocate Prakasa Rao near the Guntur District Court premises.
21-10-2024
Three police constables were caught during a raid conducted by Eluru Three Town Police on an alleged gambling den. The incident drew attention because police personnel, who are expected to prevent gambling, were themselves allegedly involved. Those identified included Eluru Traffic Constable Sagadasi Ravi, who was allegedly organizing the gambling camp, Undi MLA Raghurama Krishna Raju’s gunman Annem Srinivasa Rao, and another constable, Prakash, who was posted at Bheemadolu.
