Seediri Appalaraju sent to 14-day judicial custody in Srikakulam evidence-tampering case
Synopsis
A Srikakulam court sent former Andhra Pradesh minister and YSRCP leader Seediri Appalaraju to 14-day judicial custody on 23 July for allegedly shielding his son in a fatal hit-and-run. YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy has called the arrest political persecution — turning a road fatality into a flashpoint in Andhra's post-election power struggle.
Key Takeaways
Seediri Appalaraju , former minister and YSRCP leader, was sent to 14-day judicial custody on 23 July by a court in Srikakulam .
He is accused of tampering with evidence and pressuring the victim's family in a hit-and-run case involving his son Arav Varma .
The incident occurred on 10 July when Danayya , 45, died after being struck by a two-wheeler on the Old National Highway at Kasibugga .
CCTV footage from a petrol station established that Arav Varma, not his friend Siddardh, was riding the vehicle at the time of the crash.
YSRCP president Y.S.
Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged the arrests amount to political persecution of a YSRCP family by the Chandrababu Naidu government.
Appalaraju has been shifted to Ampolu jail near Srikakulam for the remand period.
Former Andhra Pradesh minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Seediri Appalaraju was sent to judicial custody for 14 days by a court in Srikakulam district on Thursday, 23 July, on charges of allegedly tampering with evidence in a hit-and-run case involving his son. Appalaraju was arrested from his residence in Kasibugga, produced before a court in Palasa, and subsequently shifted to Ampolu jail near Srikakulam.
Background: The Hit-and-Run That Triggered the Case
The chain of events began on 10 July, when a 45-year-old man named Danayya died on the spot after a two-wheeler allegedly ridden by Appalaraju's son, Arav Varma, struck him on the Old National Highway at Kasibugga. Local police initially registered the case against another youngster, Siddardh, a friend of Arav.
The case took a sharp turn when CCTV footage recovered from a nearby petrol station established that Arav Varma was riding the vehicle at the time of the crash. Following this revelation, police arrested both Arav Varma and Siddardh.
Allegations Against the Former Minister
Appalaraju's name was added to the First Information Report (FIR) after investigators alleged he used his political influence to shield his son. Specifically, he is accused of exerting pressure on the victim's family to withdraw the complaint and of attempting to conceal evidence — charges that amount to tampering with a criminal investigation.
Notably, the case against Arav Varma was reportedly registered not merely under road accident provisions but on a murder charge, a detail that has become central to the political controversy surrounding the arrests.
YSRCP's Political Vendetta Charge
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy condemned the arrests, alleging that the Chandrababu Naidu government had weaponised a road accident for political ends. In a post on X, Jagan said: 'The 18-year-old son of former Minister and BC leader from North Andhra, Seediri Appalaraju, was arrested and remanded not under provisions relating to a road accident, but on a murder charge, after being blamed for accidentally causing an accident while riding a motorcycle. Now, the arrest of his father makes it clear that the Government's objective is to politically persecute an entire YSRCP leader's family.'
The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led government has not issued a formal public response to Jagan's allegations as of the time of reporting.
What Happens Next
Appalaraju will remain in Ampolu jail for the duration of his 14-day remand. Investigators are expected to use the custody period to examine the alleged evidence-tampering and pressure exerted on the victim's family. The case is being closely watched as it intersects criminal law, political accountability, and the question of whether powerful figures can influence local police proceedings in Andhra Pradesh.
Point of View
Particularly given that the son faces a murder charge rather than the lesser road-accident provisions. The real question is whether the Naidu government can demonstrate procedural consistency: if the same evidentiary standard is applied regardless of party affiliation, the case strengthens the rule of law; if it is selectively enforced, it hands the opposition a durable narrative. Either way, the victim's family — who reportedly faced pressure to withdraw — deserves to be at the centre of this story, not the politicians.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Seediri Appalaraju arrested?
Seediri Appalaraju was arrested on allegations that he tampered with evidence and pressured the victim's family to withdraw a complaint in a hit-and-run case in which his son Arav Varma is the accused. A Srikakulam court sent him to 14-day judicial custody on 23 July.
What happened in the Kasibugga hit-and-run case?
On 10 July, a 45-year-old man named Danayya died after a two-wheeler allegedly ridden by Arav Varma struck him on the Old National Highway at Kasibugga. CCTV footage from a nearby petrol station later established Arav Varma as the rider, leading to his arrest along with his friend Siddardh.
What charges does Arav Varma face?
Arav Varma was arrested and remanded on a murder charge, according to YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's account. The charge goes beyond standard road-accident provisions and has become a focal point of political controversy.
What has Jagan Mohan Reddy said about the arrests?
In a post on X, Jagan Mohan Reddy alleged that the Chandrababu Naidu government is politically persecuting an entire YSRCP leader's family by converting a road accident into a criminal case under a murder charge. He described Appalaraju as a BC leader from North Andhra.
Where is Seediri Appalaraju being held?
Following the court's remand order, Appalaraju was shifted to Ampolu jail near Srikakulam, where he will remain for the 14-day judicial custody period.
