Former MLA Arrested in Alleged Kidnapping Case Sparks Political Controversy

The recent arrest of Shaik Mohammed Mustafa, a former MLA and YSR Congress Party leader, in an alleged kidnapping case has stirred significant political controversy in Andhra Pradesh. Mustafa's arrest, executed by police in Gujarat, has been condemned by his party as a politically motivated act by the ruling TDP-led coalition. The case involves accusations of kidnapping a tobacco trader's son amid a business dispute, raising questions about the use of police power for political ends. As the situation unfolds, allegations of fabricated charges and misuse of law enforcement are at the forefront of the political discourse in the state.

By Narendra Chaudhary Aug 4, 2026, 13:11 IST

Arrest of YSRCP Leader

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Amaravati, August 4: The Andhra Pradesh Police have taken into custody Shaik Mohammed Mustafa, a leader of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and former MLA from Guntur East, in connection with a kidnapping incident. His arrest occurred late Monday night in Gujarat, executed by a police team from Nuzvid. The YSRCP has criticized this action, labeling it as a politically motivated attack by the coalition government led by the TDP.

Mustafa and his son Basheer face allegations of kidnapping the son of a tobacco trader along with two others, stemming from a conflict over a tobacco procurement deal.

A formal complaint has been lodged against them for kidnapping, with additional charges under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Mustafa operates a tobacco godown in Guntur and has been procuring tobacco from local traders. K. Suryachandram, a trader from Eluru district, had been supplying tobacco to him but recently ceased transactions due to a decline in prices.

On Saturday night, while Suryachandram’s son Abhi, along with driver Balaraju and G. Durga Rao, were en route to Guntur to sell tobacco to another buyer, they were intercepted by Basheer and his associates in Nuzvid. They allegedly demanded payment of outstanding dues, leading to the kidnapping of the three individuals and the confiscation of their tobacco-laden vehicle.

Upon learning of the situation, Suryachandram contacted Mustafa, who purportedly threatened him, stating that failure to bring the owed money to his godown would result in his son being unable to return home.

Following the complaint, the kidnapped individuals were eventually released. Mustafa and Basheer went into hiding, while their accomplices surrendered to the authorities.

The YSRCP has denounced the police's actions against Mustafa and his son, asserting that it is a case of political vendetta orchestrated by the TDP-led government.

Former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy accused the authorities of fabricating charges against Mustafa and his son, despite their cooperation with the police.

Ambati Rambabu, YSRCP Guntur District President and former minister, claimed that the government is misusing law enforcement to target YSRCP leaders politically, especially after failing to challenge them through democratic means.

He further stated that a routine business disagreement involving a ₹36 lakh advance payment for tobacco had been escalated into serious criminal allegations, including kidnapping and attempted murder, to prevent Mustafa and Basheer from obtaining bail.

Ambati also criticized the police for conducting late-night searches in residential apartments where Muslim women live, alleging that officers entered several complexes in plain clothes, harassed families, and removed CCTV footage to hide their actions.