Andhra Pradesh police on Tuesday arrested YSR Congress party official spokesperson Karumuru Venkat Reddy from an apartment complex in Kukatpally, Hyderabad.
The arrest was executed by Tadipatri police, who transported him back to Andhra Pradesh for further investigation. Venkat Reddy reportedly faces several cases in Andhra Pradesh.
His arrest comes against the backdrop of the murder of TTD Parakamani case complainant Satish Kumar, who was found dead on November 14 near a railway track in Tadipatri.
Police sources said Venkat Reddy allegedly made “inappropriate and derogatory” remarks against chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and the state government during a TV debate following the recent Kurnool bus accident.
Ruling party leaders claimed his comments were intended to malign the government’s reputation.
Tadipatri TDP leader Prasad Naidu lodged a formal complaint with the Rural Police, after which a case was registered.
Using cellphone signal tracking, police traced Venkat Reddy to Marina Skies Apartments, Kukatpally, where he was arrested early Tuesday morning.
The YSRCP is expected to respond politically, as the arrest has already triggered reactions on social media and within opposition ranks.