Senior IPS Officer Moves High Court Seeking Protection From Arrest
The legal battle surrounding the alleged custodial torture of Deputy Speaker Raghu Rama Krishna Raju took a new turn on Wednesday. Senior IPS officer Sunil Kumar Nayak approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court to file for anticipatory bail. This move comes immediately after a dramatic attempt by the state police to take him into custody in Bihar earlier this week.
Mr. Nayak, a 2005-batch officer currently serving as an Inspector General in Bihar, expressed concern over potential arrest in his petition. He argued that his name was not included in the original complaint filed in July 2024 but was added later as Accused No. 7. The officer maintained that the case is influenced by political motives and denied any direct involvement in the alleged 2021 incident.
The situation escalated after an Andhra Pradesh police team reached Patna on Monday to arrest the officer. However, the local Patna Civil Court refused to grant a transit warrant, citing significant procedural lapses. The court noted that the visiting team failed to produce a valid arrest warrant or an updated case diary, leading to Mr. Nayak’s immediate release.
The case dates back to May 2021, when the current Deputy Speaker was arrested during the previous administration. Mr. Raju alleged that he was subjected to severe physical mistreatment while in the custody of the Crime Investigation Department. Following a change in the state government in 2024, a formal investigation was launched into these serious allegations.
Currently, the Bihar court has provided a 30-day window of protection against coercive action, allowing the officer to seek legal remedies. The Andhra Pradesh High Court is expected to hear the bail petition soon, which will determine the next steps in this high-profile legal tussle involving senior police leadership and top state officials.
