Krishna district police invoke UAPA Act against YouTuber

The Gannavaram police of Krishna district invoked the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), 1967, against YouTuber Bachalakuri Joseph alias Prashna Ravan and arrested him on Sunday. The police questioned him before producing him in the court. They arranged tight security at Gannavaram police station.

Following a complaint lodged by G. Shiva Kumar, alleging that Ravan made comments propagating CPI-Maoist ideology and gave an inciting speech during the Dalita Samara Shankaravam held at Eluru recently, the police registered a case.

Police also registered cases against the YouTuber under Section 147 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act (attempting or to wage a war against Government of India), Section 148 BNS (conspiring to commit offence that threat the State and Government of India), Section 192 BNS (intentionally giving provocation with intent to cause rioting) and other charges.

Meanwhile, advocate Jada Sravan blamed the government for invoking UAPA and other serious charges against Joseph.

Earlier, the Andhra Pradesh police registered cases against the YouTuber for allegedly making objectionable comments against Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan. The Pithapuram police arrested Joseph from his residence in Hyderabad on June 30. Later, the Sarpavaram, Payakaraopeta and the Machilipatnam police also registered four cases against the YouTuber in just four days. However, he was granted bail in all the four cases.

The Gannavaram police produced Ravan in the court on Sunday evening.