Ambati Rambabu booked for pushing cops at Mudragada Padmanabham's funeral
Synopsis
YSRCP leader Ambati Rambabu has been booked for allegedly pushing police during Mudragada Padmanabham's funeral in Kirlampudi — a confrontation rooted in the family's refusal of State honours and YSRCP's long-running grievances against the Chandrababu Naidu government. It is the latest in a series of police-obstruction cases against Rambabu.
Key Takeaways
Ambati Rambabu , former minister and YSRCP leader, was booked at Kirlampudi Police Station , Kakinada district , on Wednesday .
The case relates to allegedly pushing police personnel who arrived to present a guard of honour at Mudragada Padmanabham's funeral.
Padmanabham's family declined State honours, citing alleged 'harassment' during N.
Chandrababu Naidu's government from 2014 to 2019 .
Mudragada Padmanabham , aged 73 , died of illness in Hyderabad and was buried in Kirlampudi village per his last wish.
Jagan Mohan Reddy guided the funeral rites and was a pallbearer.
Several similar cases of alleged police obstruction have previously been registered against Rambabu over the past two years .
Former minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Ambati Rambabu has been booked by police in Kakinada district, Andhra Pradesh, for allegedly obstructing police personnel from performing their duties during the funeral of Kapu leader and former minister Mudragada Padmanabham on Wednesday. The case was registered at Kirlampudi Police Station following an altercation at the late leader's residence in Kirlampudi village.
What Happened at the Funeral
When police personnel arrived at Padmanabham's residence to present a guard of honour, YSRCP leaders raised objections, contending that the family had declined State honours. Rambabu and his supporters allegedly entered into an argument with police officers and pushed them as they were presenting the guard of honour.
The case was registered on a complaint filed by Armed Reserve Sub-Inspector V. Appalaraju and several constables, who alleged that Rambabu and his supporters deliberately attempted to deter them from discharging their duties.
Why the Family Declined State Honours
Though Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan had decided that Padmanabham's last rites be performed with State honours, the family declined the offer. YSRCP leaders stated that the family cited the 'harassment' they allegedly endured during Naidu's previous government between 2014 and 2019 as the reason for refusing the State honours.
The Funeral of Mudragada Padmanabham
Mudragada Padmanabham, aged 73, passed away due to illness at a private hospital in Hyderabad on Tuesday. He is survived by two sons and a daughter. In keeping with his last wish not to be cremated, he was buried under a mango tree at his residence in Kirlampudi village, reportedly in his regular attire along with his personal belongings.
Former Chief Minister and YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy guided the funeral rites and served as one of the pallbearers.
Rambabu's Pattern of Conduct with Police
This is not an isolated incident. According to reports, several cases have been registered against Rambabu over the past two years, with most charges relating to allegedly behaving rudely with police and obstructing them from performing their official duties. The latest case adds to a growing list of confrontations between the YSRCP leader and law enforcement.
What Happens Next
The case registered at Kirlampudi Police Station is expected to proceed through standard legal channels. The political fallout of the incident — pitting YSRCP's grievances against the Naidu administration against the conduct of police at a public funeral — is likely to reverberate in Andhra Pradesh's already charged political environment.
Point of View
Including who gets to honour the dead. That a funeral became a flashpoint says as much about the state's toxic political climate as it does about Rambabu's conduct. The recurring nature of police-obstruction cases against Rambabu raises a legitimate question: is this a pattern of deliberate political theatre, or a sign that law enforcement is being used selectively against opposition figures? Both possibilities deserve scrutiny, and neither the YSRCP nor the administration has offered a credible answer.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Ambati Rambabu booked by police?
Ambati Rambabu was booked at Kirlampudi Police Station in Kakinada district for allegedly pushing police personnel and obstructing them from presenting a guard of honour at Mudragada Padmanabham's funeral. The case was filed on a complaint by Armed Reserve Sub-Inspector V. Appalaraju and several constables.
Who was Mudragada Padmanabham?
Mudragada Padmanabham was a 73-year-old former minister and prominent Kapu community leader from Andhra Pradesh. He died of illness at a private hospital in Hyderabad and was buried under a mango tree at his Kirlampudi village residence, as per his last wish not to be cremated.
Why did Padmanabham's family refuse State honours?
The family declined State honours offered by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. YSRCP leaders stated the family cited alleged 'harassment' during Naidu's previous government between 2014 and 2019 as the reason.
Has Ambati Rambabu faced similar cases before?
Yes. According to reports, several cases have been registered against Rambabu over the past two years, most involving charges of behaving rudely with police and obstructing them from performing their duties. The Kirlampudi case is the latest in this series.
What role did Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy play at the funeral?
Former Chief Minister and YSRCP president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy guided the funeral rites and served as one of the pallbearers at Mudragada Padmanabham's burial in Kirlampudi village.
