Srikakulam ex-minister Seediri Appalaraju arrested for evidence tampering in son's hit-and-run case
Synopsis
A former Andhra Pradesh minister was arrested not for the hit-and-run itself — but for allegedly shielding his son and pressuring the victim's family. CCTV footage that contradicted an initial police case is at the centre of the matter, and YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy has gone on the offensive, framing the arrests as a politically motivated attack on an entire opposition family.
Key Takeaways
Seediri Appalaraju , former minister and YSRCP leader, was arrested in Kasibugga, Srikakulam on 22 July for allegedly tampering with evidence.
His son Arav Varma is accused of fatally hitting Danayya , aged 45 , on the Old National Highway on 10 July .
CCTV footage from a petrol station contradicted the initial police version, establishing Arav as the rider at the time of the crash.
Appalaraju is charged with pressuring the victim's family to withdraw the complaint and concealing evidence.
YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy condemned the arrest as political vendetta by the Chandrababu Naidu government.
Former Andhra Pradesh minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Seediri Appalaraju was arrested on Wednesday, 22 July by police in Srikakulam district on charges of allegedly tampering with evidence and obstructing investigation in a hit-and-run case involving his son, Arav Varma. The arrest marks a significant escalation in a case that has already drawn sharp political reactions across Andhra Pradesh.
The Hit-and-Run Incident
On 10 July, a 45-year-old man named Danayya died on the spot after a two-wheeler allegedly ridden by Arav Varma struck him on the Old National Highway at Kasibugga. Local police initially registered a case against another individual, Siddardh, a friend of Arav. However, CCTV footage recovered from a nearby petrol station established that Arav was riding the vehicle at the time of the crash, leading to the arrest of both Arav Varma and Siddardh.
Charges Against Appalaraju
Investigators subsequently named Appalaraju in the First Information Report (FIR), alleging that he used his political influence to shield his son, exerted pressure on the victim's family to withdraw the complaint, and attempted to conceal evidence. Police arrested him from his residence in Kasibugga and shifted him to the local police station, where his statement was being recorded. He was likely to be taken to a government hospital for a medical examination before being produced before a magistrate, according to officials.
Tension at Arrest Site
Considerable tension was reported at Appalaraju's residence at the time of the arrest, as a large number of his supporters gathered outside, alleging political vendetta and harassment by the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the state. The scene underscored the charged political atmosphere surrounding the case.
YSRCP's Political Response
Former Chief Minister and YSRCP president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy condemned the arrest in a post on X, alleging that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's government had 'stooped to the level of turning even a road accident into a weapon of political vendetta.' Jagan argued that Arav, described as 18 years old, had been charged with murder rather than under road accident provisions, and that the arrest of his father amounted to persecution of an entire opposition family.
'What exactly is Dr Seediri Appalaraju's crime? Is it questioning the excesses of the Chandrababu government? Is it standing by the people of Palasa?' Jagan asked, also questioning whether the same standard would be applied to road accidents involving Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders or their relatives. He alleged the arrests revealed a conspiracy to silence leaders who question the government's failures and described the charges as 'reprehensible.'
Jagan also warned: 'The YSRCP cannot be intimidated through arrests... The people will not tolerate the false cases, illegal arrests and abuse of authority taking place today.'
What Happens Next
With Appalaraju set to be produced before a magistrate, the case is expected to move into judicial custody proceedings. The political fallout is likely to intensify as YSRCP frames the arrests as a pattern of targeted action against opposition leaders in Andhra Pradesh. The state government has not yet issued a formal response to Jagan's allegations of political vendetta.
Point of View
The charges of evidence tampering and witness pressure are serious and cannot be dismissed as political. Yet the opposition's question — whether the same evidentiary rigour would apply to a ruling-party family — is legitimate and remains unanswered. Andhra Pradesh has a documented history of the ruling party of the day weaponising the police against opponents, a pattern that YSRCP itself was accused of during its own tenure. The judiciary, not political rhetoric from either side, will now determine whether this is law enforcement or lawfare.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was former minister Seediri Appalaraju arrested?
Appalaraju was arrested on 22 July in Srikakulam on charges of allegedly tampering with evidence and pressuring the victim's family to withdraw a complaint in a hit-and-run case involving his son Arav Varma. Police say he used his political influence to shield his son after CCTV footage implicated Arav in the fatal crash.
What happened in the hit-and-run case involving Arav Varma?
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. Police initially registered the case against another youth, Siddardh, but CCTV footage from a nearby petrol station established Arav as the rider, leading to the arrest of both.
What has YSRCP president Jagan Mohan Reddy said about the arrest?
Jagan Mohan Reddy condemned the arrest in a post on X, alleging it amounts to political vendetta by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's government. He questioned why Arav was charged with murder rather than under road accident provisions and asked whether the same standard would be applied to TDP leaders' families.
What charges does Appalaraju face?
Appalaraju is named in the FIR on charges of exerting pressure on the victim's family to withdraw the case, misleading investigating officers, and attempting to conceal evidence. He was being produced before a magistrate following a medical examination, as is standard procedure.
What is the political significance of this arrest?
The arrest of a prominent YSRCP leader comes amid heightened tension between the ruling NDA alliance and the opposition YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh. YSRCP supporters gathered at Appalaraju's residence alleging political harassment, and the party has framed the case as part of a broader pattern of targeting opposition figures.
