A court in Gannavaram, Andhra Pradesh, has ordered YouTuber Bachalakuri Joseph, also known as Prashna Raavan, to 14 days of judicial custody for allegedly making derogatory remarks about Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan. This marks Raavan’s fifth arrest within a week, with the latest arrest leading to his remand until July 18.
Raavan faced the judge after being arrested and was subsequently transferred to Nellore Central Jail. The police, acting on a complaint from a local leader of the Jana Sena party, invoked strict sections including the Bharatiya Nyana Sanhita (BNS) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against him. Charges against Raavan include waging war against the Indian government and supporting unlawful activities.
Raavan’s wife, Anusha, defended him by stating that he used language similar to Pawan Kalyan. She accused authorities of creating manipulated videos and spreading false information about Raavan. The YouTuber had previously been arrested for alleged derogatory comments made during a meeting in Eluru and faced multiple cases filed by Jana Sena workers in the state.
The arrests of Raavan have drawn criticism from various quarters, with actor Prakash Raj accusing the Andhra Pradesh government of engaging in vendetta politics. He questioned the government’s actions and demanded Raavan’s immediate release amidst growing concerns over the repeated arrests.
