Stage is set for the arrest of notorious NRI social media activist Punch Prabhakar who has allegedly been posting abusive, contemptuous and derogatory videos against the judiciary.
The CBI issued a blue notice through Interpol for the arrest of Prabhakar and one more social activist who has been staying abroad and posting derogatory comments against the judiciary in Andhra Pradesh.
The CBI said as many as 11 charge sheets have been filed against social media activists involved in the case.
The CBI announced that the process for issuing arrest warrants and arresting the accused staying abroad through diplomatic channels.
The CBI has already filed exclusive charge sheets against six social media activists of YSR Congress party who posted derogatory comments against judges and judiciary in the social media.
Last week, the state high court pulled up the CBI for failing to arrest Punch Prabhakar, known for his leanings towards YSRC.
The court warned that it would constitute a special investigation team (SIT) if the CBI does not show any progress in apprehending Punch Prabhakar.
The high court bench headed by Chief Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice Lalitha Kanneganti granted 10 days’ time to the CBI to prove its bonafides in the case, failing which they will either refer the matter to the Supreme Court or form a SIT independent of the CBI.
In the contempt petition taken up against 93 individuals, who include some lawmakers of the ruling party, the high court granted one last chance to file affidavits to those who are yet to file affidavits in the case, and warned that non-bailable warrants would be issued if they fail to do so.
The matter has been posted for further hearing to November 23.
Earlier, the Delhi special branch police in August also booked a case against Punch Prabhakar, who is believed to be YSR Congress party’s overseas social media activist for alleged abusive posts on the social media against high profile people including Vice President of India M Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
The Delhi police, who booked a case against Punch Prabhakar under Sections 504 (Intentionally insulting and provoking others) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of Indian Penal Code, are said to be trying to bring him to India for questioning.
The YSRC leadership later clarified that Prabhakar has nothing do with him or his postings in the social media. However, he openly declared that he had been a die-hard fan of YSRC president and chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
