YouTuber Bachalakuri Joseph Sent to Judicial Custody Amid Controversy
Judicial Custody for YouTuber in Andhra Pradesh
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Vijayawada, July 6: A court in Gannavaram, located in Andhra Pradesh's Krishna district, has ordered the judicial custody of YouTuber and political analyst Bachalakuri Joseph, also known as Prashna Raavan, for a duration of 14 days. This decision comes in response to allegations of derogatory comments directed at the state's Deputy Chief Minister, Pawan Kalyan.
Raavan, who has been arrested five times within a week, was presented before a judge late Sunday night. Following the hearing, the judge decided to remand him until July 18.
He has since been transferred to Nellore Central Jail.
Just after securing bail for the fourth time on July 4, Raavan was taken into custody again by Gannavaram Police based on a complaint from a local leader associated with Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena party.
This arrest involved serious charges, with police applying stringent sections of the Bharatiya Nyana Sanhita (BNS) and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
The FIR against Raavan cites multiple sections of the BNS, including 147, 148, 152, 192, 197(1)(d), and 353(1)(b), along with UAPA sections 13 and 39.
The allegations encompass waging war against the Indian government, conspiracy, threats to public order, and support for unlawful activities, among others.
Additionally, Section 148 was invoked, which pertains to conspiracy to commit offenses punishable under Section 147, or to intimidate the government through criminal force.
Raavan faces further charges under Section 152, which addresses actions that threaten India's sovereignty and integrity, punishable by death or life imprisonment, along with fines.
In a statement from Hyderabad, Raavan's wife, Anusha, defended him, asserting that he merely echoed the language used by Pawan Kalyan. She challenged authorities to file similar cases against Kalyan before targeting her husband, alleging that false propaganda is being spread against him.
Raavan was initially arrested on June 30 in Hyderabad for making derogatory remarks during a Dalit Christian meeting in Eluru on June 28. Complaints against him were lodged by Jana Sena supporters at various police stations, referencing videos from his YouTube channel 'Prashna'.
Despite being granted bail in Pithapuram, he was arrested again at a different police station. Following his fourth arrest, police escalated the charges under BNS and UAPA to prevent him from obtaining bail again.
The ruling Telugu Desam Party government has faced significant backlash from the Opposition YSR Congress Party and other groups, who accuse it of engaging in vendetta politics. Actor Prakash Raj has publicly criticized the government for its repeated arrests of Raavan, questioning the extent of power abuse and calling for his immediate release.