Published Apr 15, 2026 | 11:32 AM ⚊ Updated Apr 15, 2026 | 11:32 AM
Pudi Srihari with YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Synopsis: The Andhra Pradesh Police arrested YSRCP leader Pudi Srihari in connection with alleged objectionable social media posts targeting TDP President and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. Srihari had earlier served as Chief Public Relations Officer in the Chief Minister’s Office during Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure and was later appointed as YSRCP general secretary in charge of media affairs.
The Andhra Pradesh Police on Wednesday, 15 April, arrested Pudi Srihari, a general secretary of the YSRCP, while he was on his way from the residence of party president and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy at Tadepalli.
According to YSRCP sources, police seized Srihari’s laptop and mobile phone during the detention. “Authorities have not disclosed where he is being taken, raising serious concerns over transparency and civil liberties,” sources said.
Srihari had earlier served as Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) in the Chief Minister’s Office during Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure and was later appointed as YSRCP general secretary in charge of media affairs.
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Police said the arrest was made in connection with alleged objectionable social media posts targeting TDP President and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. The case was registered in the Chittoor district over controversial content shared online.
Investigators alleged that the posts included references to a “blood history” of the chief minister and animated visuals depicting him holding a knife, which led to the filing of the case.
Police further stated that Srihari had been actively posting content denigrating the chief minister on social media platforms.
Officials said further inquiry is underway to ascertain the extent of Srihari’s involvement and whether others were linked to the creation and circulation of the content.
While the YSRCP termed the police action “political vendetta”, police say it is in accordance with the law.
Further, the Director General of Police (DGP) warned people against social media misuse. According to police data, 1,549 cases and 1,344 arrests have been made in Andhra Pradesh related to alleged social media abuse in 2026.
(With inputs from Sumit Jha.)
