The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday asked the state government to submit a report by Monday on the fate of seven social media activists of the YSR Congress party, who were allegedly arrested for posting abusive messages on social networks against his political rivals. , said people familiar with the matter.

The HC, which admitted arguments on six habeas corpus petitions filed by the family members of YSRCP social media activists, asked the police officers of the police stations concerned to submit the closed circuit television (CCTV) camera footage between November 4 and the month of November. 7.

The HC, expressing surprise over the filing of such a large number of habeas corpus petitions in such a short period, questioned the current law enforcement situation in the state. He asked the government to submit all details relating to the detention of the social media activists involved in the case, without producing them in court.

The police lawyer, however, told the HC that all the arrested social media activists were released after being interrogated and given summons for further questioning.

The family members of the seven YSRCP social media activists – Jinkala Ramanjaneyulu, Tirupati Lokesh, Munagala Harishwar Reddy, Nakkina Shyam, Peddireddy Sudharani and Venkata Reddy (husband and wife), along with Mohammad Khaja Basha – complained in court that these activists continued to act. be detained without being brought before a court for three to four days.

They further stated that the detainees were subjected to harassment, physical attacks and were even denied food while in detention.

According to a statement issued by the YSRCP, more than 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 process of law. “The decisive action taken by the High Court underlines the seriousness of these cases and the urgency of addressing potential human rights violations in detention practices,” he said.

The YSRCP on Thursday also filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition in the High Court seeking to issue notice to the government on indiscriminate arrests of activists and social media presenters without following the directives of the Supreme Court in matters of prosecution.

The YSRCP said the arrests were a violation of Articles 14, 19 (1) and 21 of the Indian Constitution. The party also called for an investigation into police behavior, including the involvement of senior officials. He demanded that the government pay compensation to the victims of these alleged illegal actions, in accordance with constitutional rights.

The YSRCP further sought an interim order for the Director General of Police to submit a status report on the cases and arrests to help the court decide.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) President and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, however, said the government would take strong action against social media activists who posted abusive and derogatory comments.

Addressing a meeting in Amaravati on Thursday, Naidu alleged that some psychic elements were posting certain highly objectionable comments on social media, even on women targeting their personal lifestyle.

“I really felt very sad when certain comments were made against my wife in the assembly. Today, even Pawan Kalyan and Anitha have become targets of these psychopaths who post such comments on social media,” he said.

Sending a strong warning to those who make such highly objectionable comments against women, Naidu advised police officials to act cautiously to get the upper hand on such elements. “It is our bounden duty to save the state from miscreants and if threats come from hoodlums, the consequences will be totally different,” he said.