The Andhra Pradesh high court on Friday dismissed the order of a local court in Kuppam in Chittoor district, granting bail to YSR Congress party general secretary (media affairs) Pudi Srihari in connection with alleged objectionable posts against chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
The high court ordered that Srihari, who was the former chief public relations officer for Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy when the latter was the chief minister, be remanded to judicial custody, along with another YSRCP social media functionary G Girish Kumar Reddy in the case.
The two leaders were arrested by Kuppam police on Wednesday following allegations that they had posted defamatory and objectionable content targeting the chief minister.
Earlier, a local court in Kuppam had refused to remand the accused and issued orders against their detention. Challenging this decision, the police approached the state high court through an urgent lunch motion petition.
Taking up the matter, the high court suspended the lower court’s order and permitted the remand of both accused.
During the hearing, police argued that the accused had engaged in character assassination of a constitutional authority and posted content that could incite social discord. Accepting these arguments, the high court allowed their judicial custody.
The case comes amid heightened surveillance and strict action by the Andhra Pradesh government against abusive and defamatory social media content, particularly targeting political leaders, women representatives, and individuals holding constitutional positions.
Police have reportedly issued notices to hundreds of YSRCP-linked social media activists across the state. Cases are being registered under provisions of the IT Act and the Indian Penal Code.
The high court has repeatedly emphasized that posts damaging an individual’s dignity will not be tolerated.
The remand of Srihari and Girish Kumar Reddy is being seen as a strong warning to those misusing social media platforms.
