Andhra Pradesh: Political analyst gets HC breather

VIJAYAWADA: The high court on Thursday stayed all further proceedings in the case registered by Anantapur district police against political analyst and YouTuber Kundabaddalu Subbarao for his alleged remarks made to demean the state government. A complaint by one K Ramanjaneyulu alleged that Subbarao made false statements against minister Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy and Kapu Ramachandra Reddy with an intention to promote animosity between different groups.

Gumma Gutta police in Anantapur district registered a case against Subbarao under sections 505 and 153A of IPC in 2020. Recently, they issued notices under 41A CrPC to Subbarao, asking him to be present before the investigating officer. Challenging the notices and the case registered against him, Subbarao moved the high court. Arguing on his behalf, Jada Sravan Kumar said the alleged video did not contain any material promoting animosity between different groups and therefore the sections imposed would not apply to the case. The police ought not to have entertained the complaint given by the follower of a political leader, he said.

Considering his arguments, Justice R Raghunandan Rao stayed all further proceedings in the case.