more-in The alleged custodial death of Gorle Pydiraju (28), a habitual offender from Vizianagaram district, at the Central Crime Station (CCS) in the city has taken a new twist, with the police team investigating the case claiming that his body is yet to be found. This has brought to the fore the question: Whether Pydiraju is dead and if not, where he is. More surprises pertaining to the case are in store as the police say that the woman who had claimed to be Pydiraju’s wife and accompanied him also remain untraced. “The key to the mystery lies with the woman who claimed to be Pydiraju’s wife. We are trying to trace her. We will ascertain whether he (Pydiraju) is alive only after the woman is traced. As per records, he was sent out of the CCS on Tuesday morning,” JCP D. Nagendra Kumar, who is heading the probe panel, said. ‘Suspect let off’ Pydiraju reportedly died in custody at the CCS on Tuesday. But, the police deny the allegations. Some senior police officers associated with the case agree that Pydiraju was picked up by a police team, but was let off the next day. According to DCP (Crime) A.R. Damodhar, Pydiraju was picked up by a night patrol team near MVP Colony on Sunday night during a routine check. “We pick up strangers suspiciously loitering in an area as part of our routine duty. But, they are let off the next day. Pydiraju was also allowed to go as the police were on the bandobust duty for the Bharat Bandh observed on Monday. So, there is no question of any custodial death as alleged,” Mr. Damodhar said. According to police, Pydiraju, was allegedly involved in 30 house breakings reported from Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam and Rajahmundry. “He had just come out of jail after serving a five-year term. He has 16 years of crime history, with the first case being reported when he was 12 years old,” said Mr. Nagendra. Independent probe sought Various civil rights organisations on Wednesday demanded an independent inquiry into the alleged custodial death at CCS even as the police deny the allegations. V.S. Krishna of Human Rights Forum said that the matter was of serious concerns as the case looked very suspicious with a little information was available as to what really happened. “A lot of questions comes to the fore: If Pydiraju was detained as claimed by the police, then is there a general diary entry? Did the police follow the due procedures while letting him off ?, Mr. Krishna asked. There is a strong suspicion that Pydiraju was picked up a week ago and subjected to torture and he had succumbed to it. “Now, the onus is on the police to debunk the theory and furnish proof to confirm that Pydiraju had died of any illness or that he is alive,” he said. Acquiescing with Mr. Krishna, K. Padma of Mahila Chetana said an independent inquiry should be initiated. “The officers concerned at the CCS should be put on suspension which is a pre-requisite for a fair investigation,” she said. N.H. Akbar of Visakha Civil Liberties said the government should immediately initiate a judicial probe and register FIR against the CCS officials concerned.

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