To
The Chairperson,
National Human Rights Commission,
Manav Adhikar Bhawan, Block-C,
GPO Complex, INA, New Delhi – 110023.
Subject: Urgent Complaint regarding Custodial Death of Smt. Mala Gangamma (40), Dalit woman at Adoni, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh, on 01.06.2026 due to torture by Special Investigation Team (SIT) Police – Violation of Article 21 – Request for Judicial Enquiry, CBI Probe & Compensation – Reg.
Sir,
The Human Rights Forum (HRF) is a citizens’ forum established with the objective of working for the protection of the Constitutionally guaranteed/internationally recognised rights of the people. The right to a wholesome and dignified life is the touchstone for the rights that may be aspired for. In particular, HRF works for the rights of prisoners and people to be free from torture in the hands of the police. HRF is a self-financed organisation whose members for the most part are from the professions of teaching, journalism and the law.
We are submitting this complaint to you regarding the death of Smt. Mala Gangamma (40), Dalit woman at Adoni, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh, on 01.06.2026, which we believe was due to torture in the hands of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) police.
Brief Facts:
- Smt. Mala Gangamma, W/o Late Lakshmanna, Age 40 yrs, Mala (SC), Widow, R/o Badinehal Village, Kowthalam Mandal, Kurnool District, was illegally detainedby SIT headed by Guntur Addl. SP Supraja from 26.05.2026 to 31.05.2026 at DSP Office, Adoni, in connection with the alleged murder of her son Veerendra.
- She was subjected to brutal custodial torture to extract confession regarding the whereabouts of Veerendra’s body.
- On 31.05.2026, she was shifted to KIMS Hospital, Kurnool instead of Government Hospital and declared dead on 01.06.2026 at 7:00 AM.
- Her live-in partner G. Hosalli Dargayya (45) is also battling for life at GGH Kurnool under police custody with severe injuries.
- SIT Police hastily buried Gangamma’s body on 01.06.2026 by 7:00 PM in the presence of 20-30 police, without allowing relatives, to destroy evidence.
Human Rights Violations:
- Article 21 Violation: Custodial death due to torture. DK Basu vs State of WB (1997) 1 SCC 416 guidelines violated.
- SC/ST POA Act Violation: Deceased is Dalit woman. Sec 3(2)(v) SC/ST Act attracted – punishment is life imprisonment.
- Paramvir Singh Saini Violation: Supreme Court (2020) 6 SCC 1 mandates CCTV in all police stations. Footage from 26.05.2026 to 31.05.2026 is being deliberately not preserved.
Prayer:
In view of the above grave human rights violations, it is prayed that the Hon’ble Commission may be pleased to:
- Take suo-motu cognizance and direct CBI investigation or investigation by an independent agency into the custodial death;
- Direct State of A.P. to preserve CCTV footage of DSP Office, Adoni from 26.05.2026 to 31.05.2026 and produce before NHRC;
- Direct AP state Government to re-postmortem by AIIMS Mangalagiri;
- Direct to register FIR U/s 302, 201, 342, 166A IPC r/w Sec 3(2)(v) SC/ST POA Act against Addl. SP Supraja and 13 SIT members + local police who cooperated;
- Recommend interim compensation of ₹25 Lakhs to Gangamma’s family and ₹10 Lakhs to Dargayya U/s. 18 of NHRC Act;
- Direct immediate suspension of all erring police officers.
Yours faithfully,
U.G. Srinivasulu (HRF Andhra Pradesh State vice-president)
Address for Communication:
H. No. 1 – 475 -1, Srinagar Colony, Opposite Sree Homes,
Adoni – 518 301.
Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh
Mobile: +91- 9985558251
Date: 27.06.2026
Place: Adoni, Kurnool District, Andhra Pradesh