YouTuber Prashna Raavan sent to 14-day judicial custody in Naxal video case, shifted to Nellore jail

Vijayawada: A Gannavaram court has remanded YouTuber Joseph Bachalakuri, alias Prashna Raavan, to 14 days of judicial custody after he was booked under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) for allegedly uploading a video ‘promoting Naxal ideology’.Following a prolonged hearing late Sunday night, the court ordered his judicial remand, after which Gannavaram police shifted him to Nellore central jail. The remand report submitted before the court contains several serious allegations regarding Raavan’s speeches and online content. Police claimed that nine criminal cases have been registered against the YouTuber across Andhra Pradesh, which investigators describe as a pattern of repeated offences.According to the remand report, Raavan allegedly used his YouTube channel and public speeches to influence students and youngsters towards banned Maoist organisations. Investigators alleged that his videos and speeches were intended to radicalise youth and encourage support for extremist ideology.Police also alleged that Raavan delivered an ‘inflammatory speech’ against deputy CM Pawan Kalyan during a Dalit Christian meeting in Eluru on June 28.

He allegedly made provocative remarks capable of creating social unrest, they alleged. The report further claimed that he made ‘derogatory and obscene’ comments against individuals holding constitutional offices and deliberately attempted to spread hatred and distrust against public institutions.One of the most serious allegations in the remand report is that Raavan praised Maoist leader Hidma, a wanted commander of the banned CPI (Maoist), in his speeches.

The video got 28,000 views on YouTube, apart from many comments supporting Naxal ideology. Investigators argued that such statements amounted to promoting the ideology of a prohibited organisation and posed a threat to public order and national security.Based on these allegations, police invoked stringent provisions of the UAPA, in addition to several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Officials told the court that a detailed investigation into Raavan’s digital content, speeches and online activities is underway to determine the full extent of the alleged offences. Police said further legal action would depend on the evidence collected during the probe.