Telangana journalist sent to 14-day custody in Andhra over Chandrababu, Pawan remarks
Synopsis
Two Telangana-based YouTubers were arrested by Andhra Pradesh Police on 30 June for allegedly targeting Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan online. One has been remanded to 14-day judicial custody; the other had bail overturned after a Jana Sena protest at the police station turned tense. Kalyan has since announced a dedicated social media complaints cell in his office.
Key Takeaways
Venkatarami Reddy (KVR) of YouTube channel Myra Media was sent to 14 days of judicial custody by a Vizianagaram court on 3 July 2025 .
He was arrested in Hyderabad on 30 June after failing to respond to police notices; the original complaint was filed on 10 April by former sarpanch Kandi Ramesh .
Second YouTuber Prashna Ravan (Joseph Bachalakuri) was also arrested on 30 June , granted bail by a Pithapuram court, then immediately re-arrested under a second case at Sarpavaram police station, Kakinada .
Jana Sena workers protested at the police station, reportedly hurling eggs at the vehicle transporting Ravan for a medical check-up.
Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan announced a special social media complaints cell in his office and warned of legal action against those who abuse public figures online.
A court in Vizianagaram district, Andhra Pradesh, on Thursday, 3 July 2025, sent Telangana-based YouTuber and political analyst K. Venkatarami Reddy (KVR) to 14 days of judicial custody over alleged objectionable remarks targeting Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan, and Minister Nara Lokesh. The arrest, carried out by Andhra Pradesh Police in Hyderabad on the night of 30 June, has drawn sharp attention to the state's handling of social media criticism.
Background of the Case
KVR, who runs the YouTube channel Myra Media, was first booked on 10 April on a complaint filed by former sarpanch Kandi Ramesh of Badangi, Vizianagaram district. The complainant alleged that KVR made inappropriate remarks about the Indian Constitution, the Chief Minister, the Deputy Chief Minister, and a senior minister. Police served KVR with notices, but when he failed to appear, a team was despatched to Hyderabad to effect the arrest.
He was brought to Bobbili police station on Wednesday and underwent a medical examination at a local hospital before being produced before the Bobbili court on Thursday, which remanded him to judicial custody for 14 days.
Second YouTuber Arrested, Bail Overturned
In a parallel development, another YouTuber — Prashna Ravan, also known as Joseph Bachalakuri — was arrested from Hyderabad on 30 June for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan at a public meeting of Dalit Christians in Eluru. Ravan was shifted to Sarpavaram police station in Kakinada.
Although he was granted bail by the Junior Civil Judge at Pithapuram on Wednesday, Ravan was immediately re-arrested in connection with a separate case registered at Sarpavaram. Notably, Pawan Kalyan represents the Pithapuram Assembly constituency in Kakinada district.
Jana Sena Protest at Police Station
Tension reportedly flared at the Sarpavaram police station as leaders and workers of Jana Sena staged a demonstration, demanding that police hand Ravan over to them. Protesters attempted to block the vehicle transporting Ravan to the government hospital for a medical check-up, and some hurled eggs at the vehicle, according to reports.
Pawan Kalyan Issues Video Statement
Hours after both arrests, Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan issued a video statement, apparently in defence of the police action. He warned that those misusing social media would face legal consequences, and announced the creation of a special cell in his office to receive public complaints about social media misuse. Kalyan also drew a distinction between legitimate criticism and abuse, stating that while anyone may criticise him or other government functionaries, those who resort to abuse will be held legally accountable.
What Happens Next
KVR remains in judicial custody for 14 days, after which he may apply for bail. Ravan's legal status remains uncertain following his re-arrest on a second case. The episode comes amid a broader pattern of state governments invoking existing penal provisions against online commentators — a trend that critics argue has a chilling effect on press freedom and digital dissent.
Point of View
While Jana Sena workers physically obstruct a police vehicle without apparent consequence, reflects an uneven application of the law. The announcement of a dedicated social media complaints cell in Kalyan's own office adds an institutional layer to what critics will argue is political pressure on online dissent. Press freedom organisations have consistently flagged such patterns as having a disproportionate chilling effect on independent digital journalism in southern India.
NationPress
2 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is KVR and why was he arrested in Andhra Pradesh?
K. Venkatarami Reddy (KVR) is a Telangana-based YouTuber and political analyst who runs the channel Myra Media. He was arrested by Andhra Pradesh Police in Hyderabad on 30 June 2025 on a complaint filed in Vizianagaram district, which alleged he made objectionable remarks about Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, Minister Nara Lokesh, and the Indian Constitution.
What did the Vizianagaram court decide in KVR's case?
The Bobbili court in Vizianagaram district sent KVR to 14 days of judicial custody on 3 July 2025, after he was produced before it following a medical examination. He had been held at Bobbili police station since being brought from Hyderabad on 2 July.
Who is Prashna Ravan and what happened to him?
Prashna Ravan, also known as Joseph Bachalakuri, is a YouTuber arrested from Hyderabad on 30 June for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan at a Dalit Christians public meeting in Eluru. He was granted bail by the Junior Civil Judge at Pithapuram but was immediately re-arrested under a separate case at Sarpavaram police station in Kakinada.
What did Pawan Kalyan say after the arrests?
Hours after both arrests, Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan issued a video statement defending the police action. He warned that misuse of social media would invite legal consequences and announced a special cell in his office to receive public complaints about social media abuse, while stating that legitimate criticism of government officials remains permissible.
Why did Jana Sena workers protest at the police station?
Jana Sena leaders and workers gathered at Sarpavaram police station in Kakinada, reportedly demanding that police hand Prashna Ravan over to them. According to reports, protesters tried to block the vehicle transporting Ravan for a medical examination and some hurled eggs at it.
