Published Jul 05, 2026 | 5:41 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 05, 2026 | 5:41 PM
Bachalakuri Joseph, aka Prashna Raavan. (Facebook.com/raavanbezawada)
Synopsis: YouTuber and political commentator Prashna Raavan has been booked under several provisions of the BNS and the UAPA following his fifth arrest by the Andhra Pradesh police in less than a week. The FIR includes charges ranging from waging war against the Government of India and endangering India’s sovereignty and integrity to supporting unlawful activities and a terrorist organisation.
On his fifth arrest by the Andhra Pradesh police in less than a week, YouTuber and political commentator B Joseph, better known as Prashna Raavan, has been booked under some of the most stringent criminal provisions in Indian law.
The FIR, registered at Gannavaram Police Station in Krishna district on 4 July, invokes Sections 147, 148, 152, 192, 197(1)(d), and 353(1)(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 13 and 39 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The charges encompass offences including criminal conspiracy, threats to public order, acts threatening the sovereignty and integrity of India, support for unlawful activities, and support for a terrorist organisation.
The most serious charge is under Section 147 of the BNS, which criminalises waging war against the Government of India, attempting to wage war, or abetting the waging of war. The offence is punishable with death or imprisonment for life, in addition to a fine.
The Gannavaram police have also invoked Section 148, which deals with conspiracy to commit an offence punishable under Section 147, or conspiracy to overawe the Central or a State government by criminal force or by the show of criminal force.
The provision prescribes punishment of life imprisonment, or imprisonment of up to 10 years, in addition to a fine. Notably, no overt act or illegal omission in furtherance of the conspiracy is required for the offence to be made out.
Raavan is also facing charges under Section 152, which criminalises acts that endanger the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.
The section applies to words, whether spoken or written, signs, visible representations, electronic communication or other means that purposely or knowingly excite or attempt to excite secession, armed rebellion or subversive activities, encourage separatist activities, or otherwise endanger the sovereignty, unity or integrity of India.
The offence is punishable with life imprisonment or imprisonment extending up to seven years, along with a fine.
Notably, the section provides an exception for comments expressing disapproval of government measures or administrative action with a view to securing their alteration by lawful means, provided they do not excite or attempt to excite the activities referred to in the provision.
Raavan is also booked under Section 192, which concerns intentionally or maliciously giving provocation likely to result in rioting.
Where rioting occurs because of such provocation, the punishment may extend to one year. Where no riot takes place, imprisonment may extend to six months, along with a fine.
The FIR also invokes Section 197(1)(d), which deals with imputations or assertions prejudicial to national integration. Clause (d) applies to making or publishing false or misleading information that jeopardises the sovereignty, unity, integrity or security of India.
The final BNS provision cited is Section 353(1)(b). It criminalises making, publishing or circulating false information, rumours or reports, including through electronic means, where such statements are intended, or likely, to cause fear or alarm among the public and induce the commission of offences against the State or against public tranquillity.
Alongside the BNS offences, the FIR invokes two provisions of the draconian Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967: Sections 13 and 39.
Section 13 prescribes punishment for unlawful activities. It applies to taking part in, committing, advocating, abetting, advising or inciting an unlawful activity. It also penalises assistance to an association that has been declared unlawful after the relevant government notification has taken effect.
Depending on the allegation, the provision prescribes imprisonment of up to seven years, while assistance to an unlawful association may attract imprisonment of up to five years, in addition to a fine.
Section 39 concerns support given to a terrorist organisation. It criminalises inviting support for such an organisation, arranging or managing meetings intended to support or further its activities, or addressing meetings to encourage support for the organisation, where these acts are undertaken with the intention of advancing its activities.
The offence is punishable with imprisonment of up to 10 years, in addition to a fine.
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Raavan’s saga began on the night of 30 June, when Pithapuram police picked him up from his Hyderabad home over remarks he had made against Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and spiritual speaker Ram Manohar Das at the Dalit Christian Samara Sankharavam public meeting.
It came despite his having secured bail in the previous four cases.
The FIR states that Raavan glorified a banned terrorist organisation, the CPI (Maoist), and propagated its extremist ideology through social media.
“…Bachalakuri Joseph @ ‘Prashna Ravan’, the administrator and content creator of the YouTube channel ‘PRASHNA’, uploaded and circulated a video allegedly containing speeches that glorified the banned terrorist organization CPI (Maoist), propagated its extremist ideology, and encouraged public support for armed rebellion against the State. It is further alleged that the accused disseminated such content through social media platforms, which is likely to influence the public, particularly the youth, and is prejudicial to the sovereignty, unity, integrity, and security of India,” the FIR reads.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
