Daijiworld Media Network - Amaravati
Amaravati, Oct 2: In a politically charged development, Sheikh Khaja, the personal assistant to former Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Amjad Basha, was arrested on Thursday in connection with alleged derogatory social media posts targeting Kadapa MLA Madhavi Reddy.
A police team from Kadapa apprehended Khaja in Hyderabad and transported him to Kadapa, where he is currently being interrogated at the Police Training Centre on the city’s outskirts.
The arrest follows a complaint filed by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) MLA Madhavi Reddy and her husband, senior TDP leader Srinivasula Reddy, at the Kadapa One Town Police Station. The couple accused Amjad Basha, his brother Ahmed Basha, and PA Khaja of orchestrating the offensive online posts.
Police registered a case against all three and initiated an investigation. However, controversy erupted soon after when Inspector Ramakrishna Yadav, who was handling the case, was transferred. This move drew criticism from local TDP leaders, who alleged that Yadav’s transfer was retaliation for naming Amjad Basha and his brother as accused in the case.
The YSRCP strongly condemned Khaja’s arrest, calling it part of a politically motivated vendetta by the current coalition government. “How long will these illegal arrests continue?” the party questioned, accusing the ruling alliance of targeting opposition leaders.
Government Moves to Tighten Social Media Oversight
Amid the controversy, the Andhra Pradesh government has taken a significant step towards regulating digital platforms by forming a Group of Ministers (GoM) to examine social media accountability and oversight mechanisms in the state.
The GoM includes:
• Nara Lokesh – Minister for IT and HRD
• Y Satya Kumar Yadav – Health Minister
• Nadendla Manohar – Civil Supplies Minister
• Kolusu Parthasarathy – Minister for Housing and I&PR
• Vangalapudi Anitha – Home Minister
A Government Order (GO) issued by chief secretary K. Vijayanand on Wednesday outlines the committee’s terms of reference. These include:
• Reviewing current legal frameworks applicable to social media in India
• Identifying gaps in accountability, compliance, and enforcement
• Studying international best practices and global approaches to transparency, platform responsibility, and user protection
The panel’s findings could shape new policy directions in how the state monitors and addresses online content, especially in politically sensitive cases like the one involving Khaja.
The twin developments — the high-profile arrest and the formation of a regulatory panel — signal a tightening grip on social media activity in Andhra Pradesh, with both legal and political ramifications unfolding.