AP CID detains TDP’s NRI leader Yesasvi Bodduluri at Hyderabad airport; releases him after 12 hours

Guntur: Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (AP CID) has released Yesasvi Bodduluri, a NRI Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader, after detaining him for 12 hours.

Yesasvi Bodduluri was detained at Hyderabad airport on Friday night, in the case of making derogatory comments against chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on social media.

Considering his mother's health condition, CID has released him and asked to appear in person at the CID office in Tirupati on January 11, 2024.

On Friday night, when Yesasvi arrived in India to visit his ailing mother, he was detained by the Andhra Pradesh Police. The CID said that there was a lookout notice against him. He was handed over to the Crime Investigation Department, Guntur.

"I was detained at the airport and taken to Guntur CID office. In the last four years, my family has been harassed. YSRCP people attacked my house five times, damaging property and CCTV cameras. But I have never returned because my mother was strong. But now as she was not in good condition, I had to return. As I landed at Hyderabad airport, the police detained me," he said after his release.

Reports said that multiple cases were filed against him in Andhra Pradesh and a lookout notice was issued against him. As he arrived at Hyderabad, the CID police took him into custody and shifted him to Guntur.

TDP leaders are expressing anger over this arrest. TDP general secretary Nara Lokesh wrote on X, "Shocked to learn about the illegal arrest of NRI Yash Bodduluri at Hyderabad airport yesterday night based on false cases filed against him in Andhra Pradesh. This draconian govt wants to stifle voices that question with arrests and detentions. I have learned that he was whisked away like a terrorist which is appalling, to say the least. We will not rest until justice is delivered. The last days of YSRCP are near".

Speaking to NewsMeter, SP Cybercrime CID Harshavardhan said, "There are three cases on Yesasvi in 2022 and 2023 for making derogatory and abusive posts on Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on social media handles. When he landed in Hyderabad, we detained him, however when we came to know that his mother is not well, we released him."

Further, the CID have given a notice for Yesasvi to appear for questioning after one week. The CID will continue further investigation after questioning him.