Bihar cadre police official Meghavath Sunil Kumar Naik has approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court seeking immediate legal protection. The court is currently examining the IPS Sunil Naik anticipatory bail petition, which stems from a controversial 2024 custodial torture case involving the current Deputy Assembly Speaker, K. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju.
The legal dispute surrounding the alleged mistreatment of the former Member of Parliament has intensified in recent weeks. Naik filed his petition on Wednesday, requesting interim relief from arrest until the judiciary fully adjudicates the matter. Law enforcement authorities originally registered the case following a formal complaint filed earlier in 2024. Raju, who served as a prominent political figure during the incident, alleged severe physical and mental harassment while in state custody.
The swift legal maneuver by the senior officer highlights the escalating tensions between former investigative authorities and the current political administration. Legal teams are actively preparing their arguments to present before the High Court bench in the coming days.
Details of the Custodial Torture Allegations
The controversy traces back to the previous YSRCP government’s tenure. During that period, Naik was serving on deputation as the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) within the Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (APCID). The APCID handled several sensitive political cases during this timeframe, which have now come under heavy judicial scrutiny.
Raju accused CID officials of employing excessive force and violating basic human rights during his detention. The Nagarapalem police station initially handled the First Information Report (FIR) based on his comprehensive written complaint. Officers recorded statements and began preliminary inquiries to verify the timeline of the alleged assault.
Interestingly, the original police documentation did not name the Bihar cadre officer. The investigation took a different turn recently, leading to new legal challenges for several high-ranking officials involved in the original detention setup.
Why the IPS Sunil Naik Anticipatory Bail is Crucial
In his formal plea to the High Court, the officer highlighted a critical discrepancy regarding the timeline of accusations. He informed the judicial bench that investigative agencies added his name as Accused No. 7 much later in the procedural process.
Naik strongly denies any direct or indirect involvement in the alleged physical abuse of the former parliamentarian. He argued that the recent inclusion of his name in the charge sheet stems entirely from political vendettas rather than concrete factual evidence.
The IPS Sunil Naik anticipatory bail request emphasizes his unblemished service record across multiple states. His legal counsel argues that immediate or sudden arrest would cause irreparable damage to his professional reputation, personal liberty, and career progression as an All India Services officer.
Political Ramifications and Regime Change
The political landscape in Andhra Pradesh underwent a massive shift recently, directly impacting ongoing criminal investigations. With the change in administration, cases involving the previous government’s handling of political opponents have gained renewed momentum and priority.
Raju currently holds the powerful constitutional position of Deputy Speaker in the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. This elevated status brings significant public, administrative, and media attention to his pending legal grievances against former CID personnel.
Several bureaucrats who held key positions during the YSRCP regime now face intense state-level scrutiny. The current administration has promised a thorough review of all alleged power abuses and human rights violations from the past five years.
Judicial Process and Inter-State Complexities
Filing for anticipatory bail allows individuals to seek pre-arrest protection under the prevailing legal framework. If granted, law enforcement agencies cannot detain the individual without specific overriding court permission, allowing the accused to participate in the investigation freely.
The situation becomes legally complex due to the officer’s current active posting. Since Naik belongs to the Bihar cadre and serves there, any coercive action by the Andhra Pradesh police requires strict adherence to inter-state law enforcement protocols. Recent attempts to execute transit remands for officers have already faced hurdles in lower courts due to procedural lapses.
The AP High Court will evaluate the case diary and the specific evidence linking Accused No. 7 to the crime scene. Legal experts anticipate a rigorous examination of the timeline surrounding the FIR modifications and the exact reasons provided by the police for his delayed inclusion.
Next Steps in the AP High Court
The High Court bench is expected to schedule a detailed hearing soon to address the core arguments. Meanwhile, the petitioner hopes for immediate interim protection to prevent any sudden coercive measures by the Nagarapalem police or specialized CID teams.
The state prosecution will likely oppose the bail plea firmly, citing the immense gravity of custodial violence charges involving a public representative. They may argue that custodial interrogation is strictly necessary to uncover the full chain of command involved in the 2021 incident.
Observers and legal analysts are closely watching the outcome of this petition. The final ruling will not only impact Naik’s immediate future but could also set a strong legal precedent for other officers facing similar delayed accusations after a transfer of political power.
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