YouTuber Raavan arrested for fifth time in four days

Visakhapatnam: YouTuber Joseph Bachalakuri, popularly known as Prashna Raavan, was arrested on Saturday for the fifth time in four days, after Yalamanchili court in Anakapalle district refused to send him to judicial remand and released on bail.

Raavan was reportedly taken into custody at Vempada toll gate by Nakkapalle police in yet another case. Raavan has been facing a series of arrests for his alleged derogatory comments against Janasena leader and deputy chief minister Pawan Kalyan. Incidentally, he was granted bail in all the five cases in which he was arrested so far.Raavan released a video after he was apprehended by the police for the fifth time saying that he will go on an indefinite fast.

He claimed that he did not eat anything for the past four days and he will continue to fast, exercising his right to protest.“Kill me in the custody if you want as did in Gade Saikrishna case or I will kill myself by sitting in fast unto death”, said Raavan. He further added that the govt may kill him for questioning, but it cannot kill the “questions” coming at it. He alleged that the state govt deployed 500 police personnel to deal with his case as if it does not have any other work to do.

He wondered why the govt is “so scared of him”.Earlier during the day, tension prevailed at Payakaraopeta, Nakkapalle and Adduroad localities in Anakapalle district on Saturday when the leaders and activists of Janasena demanded that the arrested Raavan be handed over to them.This is the fifth time that the YouTuber has been arrested, as cases continue to be filed at different police stations in Andhra Pradesh for allegedly making derogatory remarks against Pawan Kalyan.Anakapalle district police brought Prasna Raavan to Payakaraopeta police station on Saturday for questioning in connection with a case related to alleged derogatory remarks against PawanThe Janasena activists staged protests at three to four locations in Anakapalle district demanding judicial remand of the Raavan and they tried to enter inside the police station and tried to attack on the supporters of Raavan.The police closed the station gates and deployed heavy security to prevent any untoward incidents. A large number of Janasena leaders and supporters gathered near Adda Road (cross roads) to intercept the police vehicles when Raavan was being shifted to a court in Yelamanchili on Saturday, leading to a tense atmosphere.Raavan was produced before a court in Yelamanchili under tight security. Advocate Jada Sravan appeared on behalf of the YouTuber during the court proceedings. The court granted bail by rejecting the judicial remand.Meanwhile, support is growing for Raavan on social media. Actor Prakash Raj found fault with the state govt for arresting Raavan. YSRCP and CPM demanded that cases against Raavan are undemocratic and must be withdrawn immediately.