Gannavaram gold case: TDP media coordinator arrested for objectionable post against CMO

CID has arrested the TDP state media coordinator for posting objectionable remarks against the Chief Minister's office (CMO).

Identified as Darapaneni Narendra Babu, police said he is a TDP state media coordinator. Police said a case has been registered under section 153-A, 505 (12) r/w 34 TFC at the CID Police Station.

Police said the accused had spread the misinformation regarding a recent seizure at Gannavaram airport.

Police said CID filed a case after CMO Manager Tirupati Ramesh lodged a formal complaint. Police said the manager alleged that the accused has been posting objectionable remarks on social media to hurt the reputation of the Chief Minister's office, provoke society, and disrupt law and order.

Tirupati Ramesh alleged that the accused circulated the post on various WhatsApp groups to incite hatred between two groups in society,

Police also quoted the objectionable post verbatim in the press release.

"Huge gold seizure in Gannavaram. It is reported that a heavy amount of gold has been seized on a flight from Dubai. A special team has arrived from Hyderabad, and the customs officers have been investigating since yesterday evening at the Gannavaram Visarayam. It is reported that the wife of a key officer in the CMO has brought gold from Dubai. It is reported that the two staff members have cooperated with the lower and upper-level employees. The customs officials are also being investigated along with the woman who brought the Air India staff (sic)," reads the post allegedly circulated by the accused.

Police said during the inquiry, it was discovered that the accused is working at TDP head office, Mangalagiri.

"It was also discovered that the post was false. The woman caught with gold at Gannavaram airport had no direct or indirect link with the CMO. The post was purposefully shared on social media to harm the government's reputation," police said.

Police said they recovered the mobile phone but its data (evidence) was erased. On October 12, Darapaneni Narendra Babu was arrested and remanded under Section 201 IPC. Earlier on September 22, another accused Kollu Ankababu was arrested and sent to judicial remand.