Daijiworld Media Network - Amaravati
Amaravati, Jul 5: Former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday accused the state government of misusing the police machinery for political purposes, alleging that the administration led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was undermining democratic values and the rule of law.
In a post on social media platform X, Jagan claimed that the police force was being used to suppress dissent and intimidate those who questioned the government instead of protecting citizens and ensuring justice.
He said Andhra Pradesh required a governance model based on constitutional principles, where the police functioned independently and impartially rather than acting under political influence.
"The state does not need a system of intimidation or lawlessness. It needs an administration that guarantees public safety, delivers justice to victims and ensures that everyone is equal before the law," he said.
The YSRCP chief alleged that the government's priorities were misplaced, claiming that serious criminal cases were not receiving prompt attention while action was swiftly initiated against critics of the government on social media.
Citing several incidents, Jagan referred to the disappearance of a young girl from Tuni in Kakinada district, the alleged delay in registering a sexual assault case involving a mentally challenged girl in Peddapuram, and the alleged assault on a tribal woman in Nellore district. He questioned the government's response to these incidents and accused the administration of failing to ensure timely justice for victims.
He also referred to the alleged custodial death of Sai Krishna, claiming that unanswered questions surrounding the case had caused public concern. Jagan further mentioned the deaths of Gangamma and Tirupatamma in police custody, as well as the alleged suicide of Kalavathi, which he attributed to police harassment, alleging that such incidents had damaged the credibility of the state's law enforcement agencies.
According to Jagan, instead of addressing these issues, the government was directing police officers to register stringent criminal cases against social media users and critics, including the invocation of non-bailable provisions and organised crime charges.
Describing the trend as dangerous, he alleged that attempts to silence criticism through police action amounted to an attack on democracy and constitutional rights.
The former chief minister also raised concerns over the arrest of YouTuber KVR, claiming that the journalist was brought from Hyderabad without due legal procedure and implicated in a case for offences he did not commit.
Jagan further referred to another content creator, Raavan, alleging that despite securing bail from multiple courts, additional cases were filed against him and severe charges were invoked. He questioned the government's approach, arguing that criticism of those in power should not be treated as criminal conduct.
The YSRCP president alleged that branding political critics as criminals and using the police to suppress dissent posed a serious threat to democratic institutions and constitutional freedoms. He urged the government to uphold the rule of law and ensure that law enforcement agencies function independently and without political interference.