The article reports on the death of V. Sandhya, a 24-year-old woman, while in police custody at Krosuru police station in Palnadu district, Andhra Pradesh, on February 22, 2024. Her father, V. Venkateswarlu, alleges foul play, claiming his daughter was healthy when detained and suspects she was subjected to torture.
Sandhya was detained, along with her husband V. Rama Rao, on February 19th regarding a financial dispute involving a loan of ₹30,000. Police state she complained of chest pain on February 22nd and was rushed to a government hospital in Macherla, where she was declared dead. Police attribute the death to a cardiac arrest.
Venkateswarlu disputes this, pointing to visible injuries on Sandhya’s body, including bruises on her hands and legs, which he claims indicate torture. He filed a complaint with the Palnadu District Superintendent of Police, demanding a thorough investigation and the suspension of the police personnel involved in the detention.
The police have initiated an inquiry, led by a DSP-rank officer, and a magistrate conducted an inquiry into the circumstances of the death. Initial reports suggest Sandhya had a pre-existing heart condition, but Venkateswarlu refutes this, stating she had no prior health issues.
The incident has sparked protests by opposition parties like the TDP and Jana Sena, who are demanding a CBI investigation and compensation for the family. They allege police harassment and custodial violence. The police maintain they followed proper procedures and are cooperating with the investigation. The postmortem report is pending and expected to provide further clarity on the cause of death. The case highlights concerns about custodial deaths and alleged police excesses in Andhra Pradesh.
