Kadapa: Police book Jana Sena MLA Arava Sridhar for `sexually exploiting’ woman

Kadapa: Police have registered a case against Jana Sena MLA Arava Sridhar for allegedly sexually exploiting a woman.

The case hogged the headlines after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) intervened following the allegations of sexual exploitation made by a woman,

The case pertains to the Railway Koduru Assembly constituency in Tirupati district.

Case registered after NHRC intervention

Acting on the directions of the NHRC, Kadapa district Superintendent of Police Shelke Nachiket Vishwanath ordered the registration of an FIR against the MLA on Tuesday.

The police have booked Arava Sridhar under Sections 318(2), 318(4), 88, and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and initiated an investigation.

The woman had approached the NHRC after the police allegedly failed to register an FIR based on her initial complaint.

Allegations of sexual exploitation

According to the complaint, the woman alleged that the MLA sexually exploited her for more than a year on the pretext of marriage and forced her to undergo abortions.

In a selfie video released last week, the woman, stated to be a government employee, claimed that the alleged abuse began soon after Sridhar was elected as an MLA in 2024.

The woman further alleged that she was taken to an isolated location in a car, where she was assaulted. The woman claimed that she had undergone five abortions during the past year and was subjected to repeated threats and harassment.

She also alleged that the MLA contacted her husband and pressured him to divorce her.

MLA denies charges

The MLA, however, has strongly denied all allegations. He claimed that false propaganda and deepfake videos were being circulated to malign his image. Addressing the media, Sridhar said he was prepared to face the legal process.

“No matter how many cases are filed against me, I am ready to face them. Even if they file a hundred cases, I will confront them,” he said, describing the issue as a personal matter and urging the media not to link it to the party.

Jana Sena forms internal probe panel

Meanwhile, the Jana Sena Party has constituted a three-member internal committee to examine the allegations against the MLA. The panel comprises party leaders T. Sivashankar, T. Ramadevi, and T.C. Varun.

The party, headed by Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, directed Sridhar to appear before the committee within seven days and sought a detailed clarification. He has also been asked to stay away from party activities until the committee submits its report.

Investigation underway

The Jana Sena, a partner in the TDP-led NDA government in Andhra Pradesh, has said the committee will examine media reports and related material concerning the allegations against the Railway Koduru MLA.

Meanwhile, police officials said the investigation is underway, and further action will be taken based on the findings.