Hyderabad: Tollywood actor Posani Krishna Murali arrested for making insulting statements; YSRCP condemns

Hyderabad: Police arrested Tollywood actor and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Posani Krishna at his residence in Raidurg on Wednesday night.

The arrest by Andhra Pradesh’s Annamayya district police comes shortly after the arrest of former Gannavaram MLA and YSRCP leader Vallabhaneni Vamsi.

The actor has been charged with uttering insulting statements against a particular community, which caused division among society.

Posani was associated with the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP and had also served as the chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Film, TV, and Theatre Development Corporation (APFTTDC) during the previous YSRCP regime.

Before arresting Posani, police issued a notice to his wife, stating that his words were inflammatory and destructive to public harmony.

According to the arrest notice served to Posani's wife, he was arrested under BNS Sections 196, 353 (2), and 111 read with 3 (5), along with BNSS Section 47 (1) and (2). However, further clarity on the reason for his arrest is awaited from the police.

"The offence Posani is accused of is cognisable and non-bailable. He will be produced before the Additional Judicial Magistrate of 1st Class, Rajampet, for judicial custody," stated the police notice..

Multiple cases were also filed in different police stations against Posani Krishna Murali for derogatory comments against then-opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu, Pawan Kalyan, and Nara Lokesh. The Andhra Pradesh CID also booked a case against him.

Meanwhile, Posani resisted being arrested and argued with the police, disputing the legality of their actions. He also sought to know why he was being detained without a prior notice.

Despite his objections, the police carried out the arrest and advised him to cooperate. The actor also claimed to be ill at the time, but officials requested he be brought before the Rajampet Additional Magistrate in accordance with legal processes.

Jagan condemns Posani’s arrest

Meanwhile, YSRCP president YS Jagan condemned the arrest of Posani and spoke to his wife, Kusamalatha, over the phone. Jagan said that the YSRCP would stand by Krishna Murali. He accused the alliance government of being autocratic.

The YSRCP chief also said that legal assistance would be provided on behalf of the party. The matter has already been handed over to senior lawyers of the party, he said.