Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy faces CID grilling

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) General Secretary and former Andhra Pradesh government advisor Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy was subjected to intense interrogation by the Crime Investigation Department (CID) on Friday, May 9, in connection with the 2021 attack on the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) headquarters in Mangalagiri.

Listed as Accused No. 120 in the case, Sajjala reportedly gave evasive responses during the questioning, drawing frustration from CID officials investigating the politically charged incident.

Sources indicate the CID focused on Sajjala’s location, phone activity, and potential involvement during the October 19, 2021, attack, in which YSRCP workers allegedly vandalized and ransacked the TDP central office.

Despite mounting evidence, including surveillance footage and case diaries, Sajjala denied any knowledge or role in the violence, claiming he first learned of the events through news broadcasts.

Evasive response

His responses—“I don’t know,” “I don’t remember,” and “I can’t say”—were frequently repeated, as reported by Eenadu, prompting criticism for a lack of cooperation.

The interrogation took place at the CID’s Guntur office, following official summons. Former MLA Devineni Avinash, also named in the case, was questioned separately on the same day. The investigation has intensified following the TDP-led NDA’s return to power in June 2024, with renewed efforts to hold those responsible accountable. Controversy also emerged over legal access. Sajjala’s lawyer, former Additional Public Prosecutor Ponnavolu Sudhakar Reddy, was barred from accompanying him during questioning. The police rejection led to a heated exchange. While the court has granted Sajjala interim protection from arrest, his evasive stance has sparked speculation that custodial interrogation could follow if non-compliance persists.