Gorantla video scandal: AP advocate writes to Amit Shah; demands forensic examination

Vijayawada, August 12: Andhra Pradesh High Court advocate Gudapati Lakshminarayana has appealed to the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to order a forensic examination of 'ugly' videos of YSRCP MP Gorantla Madhav. In a letter, the advocate wanted the Centre to order an inquiry into the atrocities on women in the state.

Gudapati Lakshminarayana said the series of recent incidents are a matter of grave concern.

The advocate particularly pointed out the atrocities against women since 2019 including the recent incident involving Gorantla Madhav. He said that he was writing the letter with a heavy heart. He said from June 2019 to July 2022, at least 777 attacks against women have been reported in the state. He expressed serious concern that some police officers are trying to save those involved in such attacks.

"The developments that are taking place after the video involving Gorantla Madhav has come into public, the media conference addressed by the Ananthapur District Superintendent of Police, Fakirappa, stating that the video is fake and is morphed, really sent shock waves among the women community. This clearly indicates that a section of the police force is trying to protect the YSRCP leaders," Gudipati added. Upset over the developments, Gudipati Lakshminarayana made a fervent appeal to Shah to bring the facts to light by ordering an examination by the Central Forensic Laboratory into the video since it involves the decency and dignity of the women.

He is of the opinion that the Andhra Pradesh Government is taking the people, particularly women, for a ride in the name of the 'Disha Act', as there is no such legislation called 'Disha Act' in the State.

"The Government of the day has miserably failed in protecting the safety and security of women as the ruling YSRCP leaders are directly or indirectly involved in the attacks. There are several incidents in which many elected leaders from the ruling dispensation have threatened women employees," he said.

The advocate also wanted a departmental action to be initiated against the Ananthapur SP Fakirappa, for not following the guidelines in making inquiries into the video clipping of Gorantla Madhav. It is against the ethics and Standing Orders of the police and the SP seems to be interested only in misleading the public, the advocate felt. Gudapati Lakshminarayana also wanted the Union Home Minister, as head of the wing, to take the responsibility to protect the interests of the State and also to ensure that all the Indian Police Service (IPS) officers strictly follow the service rules and regulations.