The Andhra Pradesh high court on Friday sought to know the whereabouts of seven social media activists of the YSR Congress party, who had allegedly been arrested by the police on the charges of posting abusive messages on social media against its political rivals.
The high court, which admitted arguments on as many as six habeas corpus petitions filed by the family members of the YSRCP social media activists including that of a couple, asked the police officials of the police stations concerned to submit the footage of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras between November 4 and November 7.
Advocate General of the state government told the court that all the arrested media activists were released after questioning and being served with notices for further interrogation. But the high court asked the police what the proof was that the activists were released.
The high court expressed surprise over the filing of so many habeas corpus petitions over such a short period, questioned the prevailing law enforcement situation within the state.
It asked the government to submit a report by next Monday with all the details pertaining to the detention of the social media activists of the case without producing them in the court.
The family members of the seven social media activists of the YSRCP – Jinkala Ramanjaneyulu, Tirupati Lokesh, Munagala Harishwar Reddy, Nakkina Shyam, Peddireddy Sudharani and Venkata Reddy (husband and wife), as well as Mohammad Khaja Basha, complained to the court that these activists had been held without being presented before a court for up to three to four days.
According to their claims, the detainees have been subjected to harassment, physical assault, and have even been denied food during their detention.
A YSRCP statement said over 100 cases have been registered against social media activists across Andhra Pradesh, with allegations that several of these activists are facing prolonged detention without due legal process.
“The high court’s decisive steps underscore the gravity of these cases and the urgency of addressing potential violations of human rights in detention practices,” it said.
