Andhra ex-CM Jagan Reddy condemns arrest of actor Posani Krishna Murali

Vijayawada: YSRCP President and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Thursday condemned the arrest of Telugu cinema actor and writer Posani Krishna Murali.

The former Chief Minister spoke over the phone with Posani Krishna Murali’s wife, Kusumalatha, who resides in Hyderabad.

Reddy criticised Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu's coalition government in Andhra Pradesh, comparing the current administration to an authoritarian institution.

Reddy assured Kusumalatha that the YSRCP would provide her full support. He emphasised that both the public and the divine forces are witnessing the ongoing events and called upon her to remain mentally strong during this challenging time.

The YSRCP would extend legal assistance to Krishna Murali, Reddy said, and conveyed that the matter has already been entrusted to senior lawyers affiliated with the party.

It may be mentioned that police personnel from Kadapa district of AP arrested YSRCP leader Posani Krishna Murali from his residence in Hyderabad on Wednesday night. Posani Krishnamurali worked as Andhra Pradesh Film and TV Development Corporation chairman when the YSRCP was in power.

The police took Krishna Murali to Obulavaripalli police station where he was being questioned. A Jana Sena Party leader filed a case against Posani Krishna Murali for the alleged "unparliamentary and obnoxious" language he used to criticize JSP chief K Pawan Kalyan.

The police registered cases against Posani Krishna Murali under sections 196 (promoting disharmony or hatred), 353 (2) (making, circulating and publishing false information and rumours), 111 (organised crime) read with 3 (5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).

He would be produced before the court in Rajampet this evening, police said. As many as 11 cases were registered against Krishna Murali in various police stations in Andhra against personally abusing leaders including N Chandrababu Naidu, Nara Lokesh and Pawan Kalyan.