Ambati remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody amid political row
Guntur: YSRCP leader Ambati Rambabu was remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by Guntur special mobile court on Monday. Rambabu was arrested on Saturday in connection with a case registered at the Nallapadu police station over his derogatory remarks against Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.
Police booked him under Sections 126(2) and 132 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Another case was registered under Sections 126(2), 196(1), 352, 351(2) and 292, citing threats, abusive language and derogatory remarks.
Police said Rambabu was taken to Rajahmundry Central Jail late on Sunday night and formally handed over to jail authorities in the early hours thereafter. According to police, the cases relate to incidents reported on Saturday at Chillies Centre in Gorantla, where Rambabu allegedly obstructed police personnel on traffic duty and was involved in a confrontation linked to the removal of a TDP banner near the NTR statue.
A separate case was registered based on a complaint by a local TDP leader, accusing Rambabu of “issuing threats, using abusive language and making derogatory remarks” against the Chief Minister during a press conference and later at the site, police said.
Police informed the court that 16 cases had been registered against Rambabu across the state in connection with his remarks against the Chief Minister. Officials said his statements had triggered political debate and public unrest, leading to law and order concerns.
During the hearing, Rambabu alleged that police officials had harassed him. He also told the court that no case was registered despite alleged attacks by TDP activists on his office and damage to furniture.
Separately, Rambabu’s wife filed a petition in the High Court seeking police protection, alleging attacks by TDP activists on their residence and office in Guntur city. She claimed that activists had also set fire to a car belonging to the family.
Following the High Court’s directions, police pickets were set up at Rambabu’s residence and office in Navabharat Nagar, Guntur, on Monday, and security measures were put in place for his family.
On the other hand, the YSRCP alleged that Rambabu was being “politically targeted” and claimed there was” a serious threat” to his life following the incidents.
