YSRCP's Pudi Srihari arrested again over abusive posts targeting Chandrababu Naidu
Synopsis
YSRCP's Pudi Srihari has been arrested for the second time in two weeks over allegedly abusive social media posts targeting Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu — this time after the Supreme Court declined to shield him from a High Court order that reinstated the possibility of his remand. The case is fast becoming a flashpoint in the TDP-YSRCP political battle.
Key Takeaways
Pudi Srihari , YSRCP General Secretary (Media), was arrested for the second time on 29 April in Bengaluru by Kuppam police.
The case relates to allegedly abusive social media posts with morphed images of AP CM Chandrababu Naidu .
The Supreme Court declined to intervene in the Andhra Pradesh High Court order suspending the trial court's remand rejection on 28 April .
Srihari's counsel alleged false evidence by police; the state government argued no interim relief was needed.
Srihari denied all charges, citing over 25 years of journalism and adherence to legal and ethical norms.
The High Court was scheduled to hear the matter further on Wednesday , making the next hearing critical.
YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) General Secretary (Media) Pudi Srihari has been arrested for the second time over allegedly abusive social media posts targeting Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. Police from Kuppam town detained him in Bengaluru on Wednesday, 29 April, and were in the process of bringing him to Kuppam.
Background of the Case
Srihari was first arrested on 15 April in Vijayawada in connection with a case registered against him for allegedly posting objectionable content featuring morphed images of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. He was subsequently transferred to Kuppam, where the original case was registered against him and fellow YSRCP functionary Girish Kumar Reddy.
On 16 April, the Kuppam trial court rejected the police's petition to send Srihari to judicial remand, effectively releasing him. However, the Andhra Pradesh High Court later suspended that trial court order, setting the stage for his re-arrest.
Supreme Court Declines to Intervene
Anticipating his arrest following the High Court's suspension of the remand rejection order, Srihari approached the Supreme Court seeking protection. The Supreme Court declined to intervene on Tuesday, 28 April — a day before his arrest — leaving the High Court order intact.
Senior counsel S. Niranjan Reddy, arguing on behalf of Srihari, alleged before the Supreme Court that police had created false evidence against his client and that the High Court had failed to consider discrepancies pointed out during the hearing. Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the Andhra Pradesh state government, countered that no interim order was necessary given that the High Court was already scheduled to hear the matter.
Srihari's Defence
Srihari, who served as Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) to then Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, has categorically denied creating, posting, or forwarding the content in question. He stated that he had worked as a senior journalist for over 25 years and had consistently operated within the bounds of the law. He maintained that even in his capacity as a political leader, he continued to uphold journalistic ethics and respect for legal norms.
What Happens Next
The Andhra Pradesh High Court was scheduled to hear the matter further on Wednesday. With Srihari now in custody and the Supreme Court having declined to step in, the next hearing at the High Court is expected to be pivotal in determining whether he will be sent to judicial remand. The case has drawn attention to the increasingly contentious political climate between the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led government and the opposition YSRCP in Andhra Pradesh.
Point of View
And the High Court's swift suspension of that order suggests the judiciary is divided on the merits. What is notable here is the use of morphed-image cases as a political tool: both the ruling TDP and the opposition YSRCP have deployed social media aggressively since the 2024 state election, and prosecutions of this nature risk setting precedents that could cut both ways. The Supreme Court's restraint — choosing not to grant even interim protection — leaves opposition leaders in Andhra Pradesh with limited legal cover, raising legitimate questions about the balance between free political expression and legal accountability.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was YSRCP's Pudi Srihari arrested again?
Pudi Srihari was arrested again on 29 April after the Andhra Pradesh High Court suspended the trial court's order that had earlier rejected his judicial remand. The case relates to allegedly abusive social media posts featuring morphed images of Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu.
What did the Supreme Court decide in Srihari's case?
The Supreme Court declined to intervene in the Andhra Pradesh High Court's order suspending the trial court's remand rejection, effectively clearing the path for Srihari's re-arrest. The court heard arguments from senior counsel S. Niranjan Reddy for Srihari and Mukul Rohatgi for the state government.
What is Pudi Srihari's background?
Pudi Srihari served as Chief Public Relations Officer (CPRO) to former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and is currently the YSRCP General Secretary (Media). He claims over 25 years of experience as a senior journalist.
What has Srihari said in his defence?
Srihari has denied creating, posting, or forwarding the objectionable content. He stated he has worked as a journalist for over 25 years and maintained that he upholds journalistic ethics and respects the law even in his role as a political leader.
What happens next in the case?
The Andhra Pradesh High Court was scheduled to hear the matter further on Wednesday, 29 April. With the Supreme Court having declined interim protection, the High Court hearing is expected to determine whether Srihari will be sent to judicial remand.
