Former MP Gorantla Madhav, 5 others held for assaulting accused in police custody

Former MP and YSR Congress leader Gorantla Madhav arrested for assaulting accused, sparking political tensions, condemned by police.

Former Member of Parliament and YSR Congress Party leader Gorantla Madhav was arrested along with five of his associates on Friday for allegedly assaulting an accused in police custody and obstructing the duties of law enforcement officers, said Guntur district Superintendent of Police Satish Kumar.

All the six accused were remanded for 14 days and sent to the Nellore jail by the Guntur Special Mobile Court.

The incident occurred while the police were transporting Chebrolu Kiran, accused of making objectionable comments against YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s wife during a YouTube interview. As the police moved Mr. Kiran from Mangalagiri to Guntur, Madhav and his supporters allegedly intercepted the police vehicle midway, pushed the officers aside, and assaulted the accused.

Even after the police managed to secure the accused and continued towards the Guntur district police headquarters, the group allegedly followed in a convoy of vehicles, further attempting to intimidate both the accused and police personnel. Upon reaching the police headquarters, Mr. Madhav and his associates again reportedly attacked the accused in custody.

The SP condemned the incident, emphasising that such actions, especially by a former public representative, could incite political tensions and disturb public order. “No one is above the law. Taking the law into one’s own hands is unacceptable,” Mr. Satish Kumar said at a press conference on Friday. He also stated that Mr. Madhav’s background as a former police officer made his conduct particularly regrettable.

Police have registered a case under relevant sections for obstruction of duty, assault, and unlawful assembly, and all six individuals involved have been taken into custody.

The arrested were: Kurava Gorantla Madhav, Anantapur district, Chigandi Ramesh , Sri Sathya Sai district, Talla Damodar, Anantapur district, Digivinti Shiva Prasad, Chidagondla Shivayya (27), Sheshampalli village, Ramagiri mandal, and Gaulla Surender from Sri Sathya Sai district.