Published May 26, 2026 | 1:56 PM ⚊ Updated May 26, 2026 | 6:40 PM
Prof K Nageshwar.
Synopsis: Multiple FIRs were registered against political analyst Prof. K Nageshwar over alleged defamatory remarks against Jana Sena Party leaders. Amidst rumours, he clarified that the Andhra Police had not visited his residence.
Political analyst Professor K Nageshwar clarified that the Andhra Pradesh police had not visited his Hyderabad residence to arrest him on Tuesday, 26 May.
It was reported earlier that a large contingent of Andhra Pradesh police had arrived his residence to arrest him for making alleged defamatory remarks made during a television discussion.
Amid fears of an imminent arrest, the Telangana police offered him protection, which raised suspicion of a possible standoff between the two Telugu states.
“The Telangana Police are providing protection to Mr Nageshwar. They came to our house. They are accompanying him even to the [99TV] studios,” Sree Lakshmi, the spouse of Prof Nageshwar, said earlier.
After meeting Telangana DGP, Prof Nageshwar said the Andhra Pradesh police had not visited his house. He added that he had received any notice from the police.
Even as rumours swirled, Andhra Pradesh’s Home Minister Anitha Vangalapudi warned of strict action against those spreading the fake news.
“We strongly condemn the fake news circulating on social media claiming that the AP Police visited Prof. Nageswar Garu’s residence in Hyderabad to arrest him. Strict legal and police action will be taken against anyone fabricating or spreading such misinformation with malicious intent,” she said in an X post.
Multiple FIRs were registered against Prof Nageshwar in Andhra Pradesh following complaints by Jana Sena Party (JSP) leaders over remarks he had made during a political discussion on 99TV on 19 May.
During the programme, Prof Nageshwar claimed, citing “highly placed sources”, that JSP leaders, including Pawan Kalyan and Minister Nadendla Manohar, had met Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking action against former Chief Minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
He further claimed that Shah had described the ruling BJP-TDP-JSP alliance in Andhra Pradesh as temporary while referring to Jagan Mohan Reddy as a “long-term friend”.
Manohar rejected the allegations as “completely false” and said no such discussion had taken place.
The JSP subsequently announced that it would initiate police complaints and legal proceedings against “anyone who disseminates falsehoods or levels baseless allegations against the party, its president Pawan Kalyan, or its leaders”.
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We strongly condemn the fake news circulating on social media claiming that the AP Police visited Prof. Nageswar Garu’s residence in Hyderabad to arrest him. Strict legal and police action will be taken against anyone fabricating or spreading such misinformation with malicious… https://t.co/TIE8nd2yzu
— Anitha Vangalapudi (@Anitha_TDP) May 26, 2026
Police booked Prof Nageshwar under Sections 192, 196, 352, 353 and 61 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, invoking charges related to provoking a breach of peace, promoting enmity between groups, intentional insult, spreading false information likely to cause public unrest, and criminal conspiracy.
One FIR at Indrapalem police station was registered against Prof Nageshwar, the editorial chief of 99TV, and the programme moderator.
A second FIR at Bandar Taluk police station was registered against A Venkat Reddy, administrator of the GreatAndhra website, for publishing Prof Nageshwar’s remarks.
A third FIR at Sarpavaram police station named Prof Nageshwar, 99TV, moderator Kommineni Srinivasa Rao and Sakshi Media for allegedly amplifying the comments.
Amid the criticism and police action, Prof Nageshwar appeared on television on 21 May and withdrew his remarks unconditionally.
“Someone might have given me incorrect information. I should have verified it. Out of respect for Nadendla Manohar, and to prevent the issue from escalating further, I am rescinding my remarks,” he said.
The JSP accepted the withdrawal and appealed to its workers and alliance partners to consider the matter closed. However, the police cases were not withdrawn.
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The filing of the cases has drawn criticism from opposition parties and political leaders in Telangana.
BRS leader T Harish Rao termed the action “vengeful” and accused the government of trying to harass Prof Nageshwar.
CPI(M) state secretary John Wesley warned of “serious repercussions” in case of Prof Nageshwar’s arrest.
CPI leader Kunamneni Sambasiva Rao condemned the police action, saying Prof Nageshwar had spent decades analysing political, social and economic developments and should be regarded as a public intellectual.
Similarly, senior BJP leader and former party general secretary P Muralidhar Rao urged the Andhra Pradesh government to withdraw the cases, saying the action “does not send the right message” and “serves no meaningful purpose”.
(It was inadvertently reported earlier that Andhra Pradesh police visited Prof Nageshwar’s residence. The error is regretted).
