CID arrests TDP media coordinator Darapuneni Narendra, Naidu condemns

AMARAVATI: The Andhra Pradesh CID police arrested Darapaneni Narendra, the media coordinator in the TDP central office in connection with a case of spreading false news on a government linking the woman found with gold at Gannavaram Airport to the relative of an official from the Chief Minister Office. The CID allege that Darapuneni Narendra played a crucial role in creating false posts and making them go viral, even though the woman caught at the airport is not a family member of any CMO officer.

Earlier, the CID also arrested a journalist in the same case who was released on bail following a court order. The CID has now arrested Narendra in the same case.

Meanwhile, the TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu condemned Narendra's arrest and fumed at the CID saying that it was not changing its attitude despite the court reprimand on several occasions. He expressed his anger at Chief Minister Jagan's attitude of arresting and intimidating those working in the party office.

In a letter written to the DGP on the arrest of Darpanani Narendra, Naidu alleged that the police in general and CID police, in particular, were busy harassing dissenting voices and targeting opposition TDP

leaders and cadre. "What is the need of arresting Shri Narendra in crime

no. 61/2022 of CID police station without giving notice under the section

41A? What is the hurry to violate Supreme Court's directions with

regard to arrest as pronounced in the Arnesh Kumar vs. State of Bihar

case?" Naidu asked. He sought to know what was the urgency in arresting Shri Narendra in the night, which is contrary to the Supreme Court guidelines.

The TDP chief demanded immediate release of Darapaneni Narendra unconditionally and urged the DGPto ensure that such illegal arrests did not happen in future. "Only an appropriate action at this juncture will ensure that fundamental rights in general and democracy in particular are safeguarded and protected," Chandrababu Naidu added