In a post on X dated December 17, 2025, PV Sunil Kumar directly addressed the issue of impartiality in the ongoing investigation.
Published Dec 17, 2025 | 8:25 PM ⚊ Updated Dec 17, 2025 | 8:25 PM
Representational image. Credit: iStock
Synopsis: Suspended IPS officer PV Sunil Kumar has sparked controversy by demanding that Andhra Pradesh Deputy Speaker Raghu Rama Krishna Raju be stripped of official positions to ensure a “free and fair” probe into 2021 custodial torture allegations. The demand comes amid a revived investigation by the TDP-led government, with Sunil Kumar himself facing questioning as the prime accused.
In a controversial social media post, suspended senior IPS officer PV Sunil Kumar has demanded that Andhra Pradesh Assembly Deputy Speaker Kanumuru Raghu Rama Krishna Raju be divested of all his official positions, arguing that this is necessary for a “free and fair” investigation into the 2021 custodial torture allegations against him.
The demand comes in the wake of then ongoing probe into claims that Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, then a rebel MP from the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), was subjected to third-degree torture while in CID custody in May 2021.
Sunil Kumar, who was the Additional Director General of Police (CID) at the time, has been named as the prime accused (A1) in the case.
The controversy dates back to 14 May, 2021, when Raghu Rama Krishna Raju was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh CID on charges of sedition and provoking disaffection against the then YSRCP government led by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Raju, a vocal critic of the party leadership despite being an elected MP from Narasapuram on YSRCP ticket, alleged that he was brutally tortured during custody, including physical assault and denial of medical aid for his pre-existing heart condition.
After his arrest, Raju was shifted to the the a military hospital in Secunderabad on court orders for treatment. He later approached the Supreme Court, which directed medical examinations and raised concerns over the handling of the case.
Multiple FIRs were filed based on his complaints, accusing CID officials of custodial violence.
After the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led NDA alliance came to power in Andhra Pradesh in June 2024, the new government revived the probe. Raghu Rama Krishna Raju, who had switched allegiance to the TDP, contested and won the Undi Assembly seat in the 2024 elections. On 14 November, 2024, he was unanimously elected as Deputy Speaker of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
In March 2025, PV Sunil Kumar was suspended by the state government, citing violations of service conduct rules, partly linked to the torture allegations. An SIT has since been questioning him, with Sunil Kumar appearing for interrogation.
In a post on X dated December 17, 2025, PV Sunil Kumar directly addressed the issue of impartiality in the ongoing investigation.
The translation of his post in Telugu reads thus: “I was suspended so that the investigation proceeds properly. That’s good. Then, for equal justice, Raghurama Krishna Raju should also be suspended from all his positions, right? To ensure the CBI investigation proceeds properly, he should be removed from his positions. The message that the law is equal for all should be sent.”
The post, accompanied by a video clip of TV9 Telugu news coverage showing reports on the 2021 arrest, court documents, and footage related to the original allegations, quickly gained traction on the social medias.
(Edited by Amit Vasudev)
