Published Jan 27, 2026 | 11:53 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 27, 2026 | 11:53 PM
The woman released her chats, purportedly with MLA Arava Sridhar, to support her allegations.
Synopsis: The controversy has also brought renewed attention to a press release issued by the Jana Sena Party a few days ago, cautioning party workers against alleged attempts by the opposition to malign the party’s image by raising “extra-marital” issues involving its leaders.
The TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh is caught in a political storm after a married woman accused Jana Sena Party (JSP) MLA Arava Sridhar of repeatedly harassing her both mentally and sexually.
Coming out in public, the state government employee accused the Railway Koduru MLA of subjecting her to sustained harassment, improper conduct, and physical exploitation over a period of nearly one-and-a-half years.
Supporting her claims, she released intimate videos and WhatsApp chat records, which were circulated widely on social media, triggering intense public debate and sharp political reactions.
She also wrote to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu seeking justice. In her letter, she urged the chief minister to order a thorough inquiry.
The woman claimed that the MLA’s actions defamed her and refused to marry her as promised.
Further, she claimed that she had conceived five times during the relationship and was forced to terminate the pregnancies each time.
The controversy has also brought renewed attention to a press release issued by the Jana Sena Party a few days ago, cautioning party workers against alleged attempts by the opposition to malign the party’s image by raising “extra-marital” issues involving its leaders.
The statement by party chief and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has now been widely seen as one prompted by the unfolding allegations against the MLA.
Adding to the uproar, an audio recording, purportedly of the woman, went viral on social media. In the audio clip, she alleged that Sridhar had sexually exploited her over the past 18 months and subjected her to continuous torture.
She claimed that the MLA forced her to communicate with him through the Telegram app, asked for nude shows during video calls, and made repeated inappropriate demands. Whenever she objected and questioned the propriety of such behaviour, the pressure allegedly intensified.
The woman further alleged that the MLA threatened to block her request for a transfer from Railway Koduru and warned her of department-level inquiries. She claimed that he repeatedly reminded her that she was living alone with her son.
The audio also alleged that the MLA threatened her husband and pressured him to divorce her.
Subsequently, her husband reportedly took their son away, leaving her alone for the past one-and-a-half years. She alleged that the MLA took advantage of her isolation and continued the exploitation.
On 7 January, she claimed Sridhar explicitly ruled out marriage and asked her to “get lost”.
Meanwhile, the MLA’s family vehemently denied the allegations. Sridhar’s mother, Prameela, alleged that her son was being deliberately defamed despite not committing any wrongdoing.
Speaking to the media, she claimed that her son had only helped the woman and was now being targeted with false accusations. She further alleged that the woman frequently visited their house, as they belonged to the same caste, often arriving late at night and harassing the family.
Prameela alleged that the woman had trapped her son with “honey-laced words” and ruined his life by persistently calling him at odd hours. Unable to bear the alleged harassment, the family complained about the woman at the Railway Koduru police station, she said.
Despite the complaint, the woman continued to trouble her son, the MLA’s mother said.
The Railway Koduru police have registered a case against the woman based on a complaint lodged by Prameela on 7 January. Inspector Chandrasekhar said that action would be taken in accordance with the law if the woman was found guilty.
Incidentally, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan had earlier warned Home Minister V Anita that he would take over her portfolio if she failed to protect women in the state.
“If I become the home minister, the situation would be different. If law and order are allowed to deteriorate like this, I may have to take over the home portfolio from you (Anita),” he said while addressing a meeting in his Pithapuram Assembly constituency on 4 November 2024.
“UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s treatment is right for those who are committing crimes against women. You (Anita) take more responsibility. If you don’t, I will have to take your responsibility,” he had then added.
Minister Anita later downplayed Kalyan’s statement, saying the deputy chief minister was merely advising her.
(Edited by Majnu Babu).
