Jagan Mohan Reddy alleges misuse of police machinery in Andhra Pradesh

YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday alleged that the TDP-led coalition government was misusing the State’s police machinery to suppress political dissent, while failing to effectively address crimes affecting ordinary citizens.

In a post on X, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that the government had created a “dangerous culture” in which those questioning the administration on social media were being subjected to criminal cases, arrests, custodial torture and stringent legal provisions, while investigations into crimes against women, missing children and other serious offences were allegedly neglected.

Referring to several recent incidents, he cited the alleged missing of a young girl from Kakinada district, the alleged sexual assault of a mentally challenged girl in Peddapuram, the alleged assault on a tribal woman in Kavali, the Sai Krishna lock-up death case, the Kranti Kumar suicide case, and the alleged custodial deaths of Gangamma and Tirupatamma.

The YSRCP chief claimed that these incidents reflected deterioration in law enforcement and questioned the government’s commitment to public safety and justice.

The former Chief Minister also alleged that the government was invoking harsh, non-bailable criminal provisions against social media activists and government critics, while attempting to link such cases to organised crime.

He criticised the arrest of YouTube journalist K.V. Reddy and alleged procedural violations in the case, besides accusing the government of targeting another YouTuber, Joseph Raavan, through multiple criminal cases despite his obtaining bail.

Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy further alleged that the government was using diversionary tactics to deflect public attention from issues relating to law and order. He accused the ruling dispensation of encouraging political policing and undermining democratic values by intimidating critics instead of responding to public concerns.

Calling for policing in accordance with the Constitution, he said Andhra Pradesh required a government that ensured the safety and security of its citizens, protected constitutional rights and guaranteed equal treatment before the law.