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Two YSRCP activists have been arrested in Tirupati for spreading false information about illicit liquor on social media, according to local police officials.
Tirupati Additional Superintendent of Police Ravi Manoharachary announced that the arrests stemmed from a complaint lodged by Excise CI Mandavalli Ramachandra at the Alipiri police station. The complaint addressed misinformation being circulated about an incident near Victory Wines in the Kapila Teertham area.
In the incident that triggered the controversy, an unidentified man fell unconscious in an inebriated state. YSRCP social media teams allegedly seized this opportunity to falsely claim the man had consumed illicit liquor, using the incident to criticize both the state government and the excise department through various social media platforms.
Police investigation using CCTV footage and other forensic methods revealed that two individuals were behind the fabricated narrative: Chandrasekhar Venkatesh, who works as a personal assistant to YSRCP MLC Sipayi Subramanyam, and YSRCP social media activist Bhrungi Naveen. Authorities determined that the pair had deliberately spread misinformation with the intention of damaging the state government’s reputation.
Following a thorough investigation, Alipiri police arrested both individuals on Monday night, and they were subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
The case highlights the growing problem of political misinformation in Andhra Pradesh, particularly as tensions between the ruling and opposition parties continue to escalate. The YSRCP, which recently lost power in the state to the Telugu Desam Party-led alliance, has been particularly active in criticizing the new administration on various fronts including liquor policy.
ASP Manoharachary issued a stern warning against social media misuse during the announcement of the arrests. “It is a mistake to think that you can post anything on social media. If you distort facts and show them as reality, we will conduct an investigation and send such individuals to jail by taking necessary legal action,” he stated.
The additional SP emphasized that while authorities respect freedom of expression, they would take decisive action against those who use that freedom as cover to propagate false information. This stance reflects the growing concerns among law enforcement about the impact of deliberate misinformation campaigns on public opinion and governmental stability.
Excise department officials have been particularly sensitive to accusations about illicit liquor in Andhra Pradesh, as liquor policy has been a contentious issue in state politics. The current government, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, has implemented changes to the state’s liquor policy, which has become a point of political contention.
Political analysts note that social media has become a key battleground for political narratives in Andhra Pradesh, with both ruling and opposition parties maintaining active digital teams to shape public opinion. However, this case demonstrates the potential legal consequences when such activities cross into deliberate misinformation.
Law enforcement agencies across the state have been instructed to monitor social media platforms more closely for potentially harmful false information, especially concerning public health and safety issues like illicit liquor consumption, which can cause serious harm or even death if left unchecked.
The arrests serve as a reminder of the increasing scrutiny being applied to political social media campaigns, particularly those that may spread false information about critical public services or safety concerns.
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12 Comments
It’s concerning to see YSRCP activists allegedly using social media to fabricate a story and attack the government. This kind of behavior undermines public discourse and erodes trust in institutions.
Spreading misinformation, even for political gain, is unacceptable. The authorities should continue to investigate and hold those responsible accountable to prevent future incidents.
It’s concerning to see YSRCP activists deliberately disseminating false information, especially regarding sensitive issues like liquor sales. This kind of disinformation campaign can be damaging to public trust.
Spreading misinformation through social media is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Fact-checking and accountability are crucial to maintain transparency and prevent the spread of falsehoods.
While political criticism is important, using false information to attack opponents is not the right approach. I hope this incident serves as a lesson on the importance of fact-based reporting and responsible social media use.
Agreed. Spreading disinformation, regardless of the motive, can have serious consequences for public trust and social stability. Stricter measures are needed to address this growing problem.
While it’s important to hold the government accountable, using fabricated narratives is not the right approach. I hope the arrested individuals face appropriate consequences for their actions.
Misusing social media to push a political agenda and mislead the public is unethical. The authorities were right to investigate and take action in this case.
This incident highlights the need for stricter regulations and enforcement against the spread of disinformation on social media, especially when it involves political actors. Fact-based reporting should be the priority.
I agree, social media platforms need to do more to prevent the spread of false narratives, especially when they originate from political groups. Accountability is crucial to maintain public trust.
This seems like a case of political grandstanding and spreading misinformation for partisan gain. Spreading false narratives on social media to attack political opponents is unacceptable, regardless of party affiliation.
Agreed, using social media to push a misleading story and criticize officials is irresponsible. The authorities were right to investigate and arrest those involved.