Retired CID Officer Vijaypal Arrested in Raghurama Torture Case

R. Vijaypal, a retired Additional Superintendent of Police (CID) and accused in the custodial torture case of former MP and current AP Deputy Speaker Raghurama Krishnaraju, was arrested on Tuesday night. Vijaypal appeared before Prakasam District Superintendent of Police (SP) Damodar for questioning earlier in the day. The interrogation, which began at 11 am, culminated in Vijaypal's arrest at 9 pm. This follows the Supreme Court's recent dismissal of Vijaypal’s plea for anticipatory bail in the case. The court’s decision compelled Vijaypal to present himself before the police for questioning, during which SP Damodar announced the arrest. Vijaypal is currently held at Ongole police station and will be transferred to Guntur on Wednesday morning.

In 2021, Raghurama Krishnaraju was taken into custody by CID officials following accusations of making controversial statements against the then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. He was forcibly brought from his Hyderabad residence to the Guntur CID Regional Office, where he alleges he was subjected to third-degree torture and an attempted murder during his detention. Krishnaraju filed a complaint on July 11, 2023, naming key individuals, including former CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, former CID Chief PV Sunil Kumar, Intelligence Department Head PSR Anjaneyulu, CID Additional SP Vijaypal, and GGH Superintendent Prabhavathi, among others. The police registered a case against the accused, and Vijaypal's attempts to secure anticipatory bail were rejected by both the Andhra Pradesh High Court and, subsequently, the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court, which had earlier granted Vijaypal interim protection from arrest, reviewed the case again on Monday. A bench comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Prasanna B. Varale dismissed his plea after hearing arguments from both sides, paving the way for the arrest. The arrest of Vijaypal marks a significant development in the high-profile case, with further proceedings expected as the investigation continues.