Patna: A high-profile development unfolded in Patna on Monday morning after a team of Andhra Pradesh Police reached the official residence of senior Bihar-cadre IPS officer Sunil Kumar Nayak, currently posted as Inspector General (Fire Services). The visit, carried out in the presence of local police, involved scrutiny of documents and preliminary questioning, triggering considerable buzz in administrative circles. While no arrest had been officially confirmed till late evening, the move has brought renewed focus on a 2021 case involving serious allegations of custodial torture.
Sunil Nayak, a senior IPS officer of the Bihar cadre, had served on deputation in Andhra Pradesh beginning in 2019, where he held the post of DIG in the CID and oversaw several sensitive investigations. It is this tenure that has now come under legal scrutiny.
Certified Cyber Crime Investigator Course Launched by Centre for Police Technology
Controversy rooted in 2021 arrest
The origins of the case trace back to 2021, when then Member of Parliament Raghu Rama Krishna Raju was arrested on charges of sedition. Following his arrest, he alleged that he was assaulted and subjected to custodial torture. At the time, Nayak was posted in the Andhra Pradesh CID and was among the officers associated with the supervisory framework of the case. Although the matter generated political and administrative debate then, it did not immediately translate into concrete legal action.
FIR after regime change, probe widens
The case took a decisive turn in July 2024 after a change in government in Andhra Pradesh. Acting on Raju’s complaint, an FIR was registered against several senior officials, including former chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. Top functionaries of the CID and intelligence wing were brought under the ambit of the investigation. Nayak’s role was subsequently examined, and he was issued notices for questioning.
According to sources, the investigating officer had asked him to appear twice, but he did not turn up on the scheduled dates. This led the Andhra Pradesh Police to initiate legal steps and travel to Patna to pursue the matter further.
Document review, arrest not confirmed
During Monday’s visit, the Andhra team, assisted by Bihar Police, examined documents at Nayak’s Shastri Nagar residence and collected relevant information. Officials described the exercise as part of routine investigative procedure. However, within administrative circles, speculation has intensified that non-cooperation with the probe could lead to further legal action, including the possibility of arrest subject to due process.
Legal experts note that in inter-state investigations, the concerned officer is given an opportunity to join the probe, present his version, and furnish documents. Failure to comply with notices may prompt the investigating agency to seek court approval for coercive steps.
Test of inter-state coordination
The development has evolved into more than an individual legal matter, posing a significant test of coordination between two state police forces and administrative systems. While Andhra Pradesh Police is attempting to advance the investigation, any action against a serving senior officer posted in another state is considered procedurally sensitive and requires strict adherence to jurisdictional norms and protocol.
Focus on next steps
As of now, there is no clarity on whether Nayak will be taken into custody. If he appears before the Andhra Pradesh Police and cooperates with the investigation, the process may remain limited to questioning. Continued absence, however, could invite stricter legal measures.
The episode has once again raised broader questions about administrative accountability in high-profile cases and the balance between due process and enforcement. The direction of the investigation in the coming days—and whether it results in concrete legal action—will be closely watched by both legal and bureaucratic circles.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
