Police examine Ravan’s YouTube income, bank accounts frozen

Vijayawada: Investigators probing the activities of YouTuber Bachalakuri Joseph alias Ravan, who is currently in judicial custody in multiple criminal cases, have widened their investigation to trace his financial network after discovering that his YouTube channel allegedly generated substantial monthly income.According to police sources, preliminary investigations revealed that Ravan was earning more than ₹1.5 lakh per month through his YouTube channel Prashna, which allegedly featured provocative and hate-filled content. Suspecting that the channel’s earnings could be relevant to the ongoing investigation, Kakinada police wrote to officials of two banks seeking the freezing of his accounts. Acting on the request, the banks have reportedly suspended transactions in the accounts.Investigators are now conducting a detailed examination of Ravan’s financial transactions to determine whether he acted independently or received financial or logistical support from others.Police have also received a forensic report after sending Ravan’s mobile phone to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). Officials said deleted data and WhatsApp chats were successfully recovered, providing investigators with fresh digital evidence.

The recovered material is now being analysed to identify possible associates, funding sources and communication networks.Ravan is currently lodged in jail after being arrested in cases relating to alleged objectionable remarks against chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan, as well as allegations of speeches supporting a banned Maoist organisation.According to police sources, the forensic analysis also recovered several deleted personal videos from the device.

Investigators are examining whether any of the recovered material has relevance to the criminal cases under investigation. Police are also looking into whether any individuals featured in the recovered communications or media were subjected to intimidation or coercion, though these aspects are yet to be independently verified.Officials said the investigation is continuing on multiple fronts, including Ravan’s digital footprint, financial transactions and possible links with other individuals. They emphasised that further legal action will depend on the evidence collected during the course of the investigation.