Published Jul 01, 2026 | 10:21 AM ⚊ Updated Jul 01, 2026 | 10:21 AM
KV Reddy was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh police in Hyderabad.
Synopsis: The Andhra Pradesh police arrested YouTubers KV Reddy and Raavan, aka B Joseph, over their criticism of the state government. Meanwhile, there is mounting backlash against the Andhra Pradesh police crackdown on vocal critics of the government, including those from other states.
YouTuber and political commentator KV Reddy, who runs the popular channel Myra Media, was arrested by the Andhra Pradesh police in Hyderabad on the night of Tuesday, 30 June, under a non-bailable warrant.
Another YouTuber, Raavan, aka B Joseph, of the Prashna political channel, was also arrested in Hyderabad by the Pithapuram police in Andhra Pradesh.
According to available information, their arrest follows their criticism of the Andhra Pradesh government, especially Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
Also Read: Top bureaucrat hospitalised, rejig of Andhra Pradesh CMO on the cards
Reports suggest that police officers from Andhra Pradesh arrived at Reddy’s Hyderabad residence and took him into custody while he was at home, despite strong objections from his family.
Videos circulating on social media showed distressing scenes of the family members in tears, resisting the arrest while the police reprimanded them using rude language.
Reddy was first taken to the Saroornagar Police Station in Hyderabad before being transferred to the police station with jurisdiction over the case. The arrest reportedly followed multiple notices sent against Reddy’s critical political coverage of the Chandrababu Naidu-led Andhra Pradesh government.
The arrest has triggered political backlash, with Telangana Rakshana Sena (TRS) leader K Kavitha condemning it as “despicable” and questioning why Telangana police cooperated in detaining a journalist while remaining silent on other controversial remarks made by public figures.
In a YouTube short shared on 30 June, Raavan said he had received information that a warrant had been issued against him for his speech at a public meeting in Eluru.
The event, titled ‘Dalit Christian War Cry’ (Dalitha Kraisthava Samara Sankharavam), was held on 28 June to demand Scheduled Caste status for Dalit Christians.
Raavan has been a vocal critic of Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and has made comments about him at the Eluru event. Reports suggest that the arrest was made in connection with these remarks.
Details about his arrest are still unclear.
Also Read: Bengaluru court issues gag order protecting Andhra DyCM Pawan Kalyan
Meanwhile, there is mounting backlash against the Andhra Pradesh police crackdown on vocal critics of the government, including those from other states.
The video of Reddy’s arrest shows a group of police personnel in civilian attire arresting him and transferring him via a private vehicle.
In April this year, the Kakinada police travelled all the way to Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, to detain stand-up comedian Anudeep Katikala after a video of his set went viral, in which he cracked jokes about Pawan Kalyan and other members of his family.
Shortly after, videos featuring Vizag-based comedian Rafiq Mohammad also sparked outrage among Kalyan’s supporters. Rafeeq was eventually arrested at his residence by the Machilipatnam police. Both the comedians were later released on bail.
(With inputs from Sreshta Ladegaam.)
