Jagan accuses Chandrababu of false cases against ex-minister Appalaraju
Synopsis
A fatal hit-and-run on a national highway has become the flashpoint for a sharp political confrontation in Andhra Pradesh. YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy is alleging that CM Chandrababu Naidu is using the case against ex-minister Seediri Appalaraju as a tool of political vendetta — while the government insists the arrests follow the evidence, including CCTV footage.
Key Takeaways
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on 30 July accused the Chandrababu Naidu government of filing politically motivated cases against former minister Seediri Appalaraju .
Appalaraju was arrested on 22 July for allegedly tampering with evidence to shield his son Arav Varma in a hit-and-run case.
On 10 July , Danayya , aged 45 , died after a two-wheeler allegedly ridden by Arav struck him at Kasibugga on the Old National Highway.
CCTV footage from a nearby petrol station established Arav was riding the vehicle, leading to his arrest alongside friend Siddardh .
Anitha alleged Jagan arrived at the jail after 5 pm , past the allotted 2–3 pm window, and used the denied visit for political optics.
YSRCP alleged the government imposed restrictions on Jagan's movement through Srikakulam to limit his public contact.
Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on 30 July accused the Chandrababu Naidu-led government of weaponising a road accident case to file politically motivated charges against former minister and party leader Seediri Appalaraju. Jagan made the accusations while speaking to reporters at Ampolu in Srikakulam district, after jail authorities denied him permission to meet Appalaraju, citing his late arrival.
What Jagan Alleged
Jagan claimed that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu was deliberately attempting to derail the career of a young man and harass the family of a Backward Class leader. He argued that after a road accident, Appalaraju's son Arav Varma had attempted to revive the victim by administering CPR and had called both the 108 ambulance and the police — yet was subsequently arrested on serious charges.
The former Chief Minister alleged that the government converted what was fundamentally an accident into a murder case 'with mala fide intentions and out of political vendetta.' He added that Appalaraju's own arrest was driven by vindictive intent, aimed at troubling the family and ruining the young man's future. 'We will stand by the family and will fight it out at all avenues,' Jagan said.
The Hit-and-Run Case: What the Records Show
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.
Appalaraju was arrested on 22 July on allegations that he used his influence to shield his son, following which his name was added to the First Information Report (FIR).
Government's Counter: 'Jagan Came Late'
State Home Minister V. Anitha pushed back sharply, stating that Jagan had been allotted a time slot between 2 pm and 3 pm for the jail visit but arrived after 5 pm. She alleged that Jagan had no genuine intention of meeting Appalaraju and was instead using the visit as a show of political strength.
YSRCP Flags Restrictions on Jagan's Movement
YSRCP leaders alleged that the coalition government imposed severe restrictions on Jagan's travel through Srikakulam, claiming the administration resorted to police restrictions, advance notices, and house arrests to prevent party workers from reaching him. Despite this, Jagan received a large public reception at Visakhapatnam Airport and drew considerable crowds along the road to Srikakulam.
Jagan also alleged selective enforcement, claiming that similar incidents involving legislators from Ichchapuram and Pathapatnam — both from the ruling coalition — did not attract police cases. He further accused Chandrababu of inflaming caste sentiments by deputing a minister from the victim's community to the scene for political effect.
What Happens Next
Jagan met Appalaraju's family members and assured them of YSRCP's continued support. The case is expected to draw further political attention as both sides escalate their positions ahead of what analysts see as a broader contest over Backward Class politics in Andhra Pradesh.
Point of View
Yet YSRCP's framing of it as Backward Class persecution is a calculated move in a state where caste arithmetic shapes every electoral calculation. Chandrababu's decision to send a minister from the victim's community to the site, as Jagan alleges, is itself a political act dressed as governance. The real question is whether the courts will insulate the proceedings from this noise — or whether the case will be tried in press conferences before it reaches a judge.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was former minister Seediri Appalaraju arrested?
Appalaraju was arrested on 22 July on allegations that he used his political influence to shield his son Arav Varma, who is accused of causing a fatal hit-and-run accident on 10 July at Kasibugga. His name was added to the FIR for allegedly tampering with evidence in the case.
What happened in the Kasibugga hit-and-run case?
On 10 July, a 45-year-old man named Danayya died on the spot after a two-wheeler allegedly ridden by Arav Varma — Appalaraju's son — struck him on the Old National Highway at Kasibugga in Srikakulam district. CCTV footage from a nearby petrol station established Arav was riding the vehicle, leading to his arrest.
Why was Jagan denied permission to meet Appalaraju in jail?
Jail authorities denied Jagan Mohan Reddy permission to meet Appalaraju because he arrived after 5 pm, past the allotted visiting window of 2–3 pm. Home Minister V. Anitha alleged that Jagan had no genuine intention of meeting Appalaraju and used the denied visit as political theatre.
What is Jagan's allegation against CM Chandrababu Naidu?
Jagan alleges that Chandrababu Naidu's government converted a road accident into a murder case out of political vendetta, targeting Appalaraju — a Backward Class leader — to harass his family and damage his son's future. He also alleged selective enforcement, claiming ruling-party MLAs involved in similar incidents faced no cases.
Who is Seediri Appalaraju?
Seediri Appalaraju is a senior YSRCP leader and former minister in the previous Jagan Mohan Reddy government in Andhra Pradesh. He represents the Backward Class community and has been a key figure in the party's political base in the Srikakulam region.
