Police Issue Notices to YSRCP Leaders

Police have issued notices to several YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leaders, including spokesperson Aare Shyamla, for allegedly spreading false information about a fatal bus accident in Kurnool district that claimed 19 lives last month.

A special police team from Kurnool traveled to Hyderabad to serve a notice at Shyamla’s residence in the Gandipet area. The notice requires her to appear for questioning within three days as part of an ongoing investigation into misinformation surrounding the tragic incident.

The case centers on the October 24 accident near Chinnatekur in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, where a passenger bus caught fire after colliding with a motorcycle. The devastating crash resulted in 19 passengers losing their lives, with several others sustaining serious injuries. The incident shocked the region and prompted immediate investigation by local authorities.

According to police officials, in the aftermath of the tragedy, certain YSRCP leaders began circulating claims on social media platforms suggesting that the accident was connected to “belt shops” (illegal liquor outlets) and adulterated alcohol. These allegations spread rapidly across social media channels even as official investigations into the accident’s cause were still underway.

The police action follows a formal complaint lodged by Perapogu Venumulayya, a resident of B Tandrapadu village in Kurnool mandal. Based on this complaint, law enforcement registered a case against 27 individuals for allegedly propagating misinformation about the incident.

“Spreading unverified claims during an active investigation not only hampers our work but also creates unnecessary public panic and misinformation,” said a senior police official who requested anonymity. “Such actions may attract legal consequences under relevant sections of the law.”

All 27 accused individuals have reportedly been issued notices directing them to appear before investigators to explain their statements and social media posts about the accident.

The political dimension of this case highlights the ongoing tensions between the current Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led government in Andhra Pradesh and the opposition YSRCP, which lost power in the recent state elections. Since the change in government, there have been multiple instances of political friction between the two parties across various issues.

Transportation safety has been a persistent concern in Andhra Pradesh, with bus accidents claiming numerous lives annually. According to state transportation department data, road accidents involving public transport vehicles have increased by approximately 12 percent over the past three years, raising serious concerns about safety protocols and infrastructure.

The Kurnool accident investigation continues to focus on determining the exact cause of the collision and subsequent fire. Preliminary reports suggest that mechanical failure may have contributed to the severity of the blaze, though investigators are examining all possible factors, including driver error and road conditions.

Legal experts note that the police action against political leaders for their statements represents a significant move to curb misinformation during crisis situations.

“When public tragedies occur, there’s often a rush to assign blame or create narratives before facts are established,” explained Ramesh Kumar, a senior advocate specializing in media law. “Authorities are increasingly taking action against what they consider irresponsible statements that might inflame public sentiment or interfere with investigations.”

The accused YSRCP leaders have not yet publicly responded to the notices, and it remains to be seen how they will address the allegations during questioning. If found guilty of deliberately spreading false information, they could face charges under various sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to public mischief and spreading rumors.