Senior Journalist Kommineni Srinivasa Rao sent to 14-Day judicial remand

Senior Telugu journalist and Sakshi TV anchor Kommineni Srinivasa Rao was arrested by Andhra Pradesh police on June 9, 2025, from his residence in Hyderabad and subsequently remanded to 14-day judicial custody by a Mangalagiri court in Guntur district on June 10.

The arrest stems from a controversial television debate on Sakshi TV, where derogatory remarks were made about women from the Amaravati capital region, sparking widespread outrage.

Comments on Amaravathi women

According to police reports, Kommineni was moderating a live debate on Sakshi TV when guest journalist V.V.R. Krishnam Raju allegedly referred to Amaravati as a “city of sex workers” and made other offensive comments about its women, particularly targeting Dalit communities.

Kommineni’s failure to condemn or stop the remarks, and his alleged encouragement of the guest, led to accusations of endorsing the statements. A complaint filed by Kambhampati Sirisha, a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leader and member of the Amaravati Capital Farmers’ Dalit JAC, at Thullur Police Station triggered the arrest.

The Mangalagiri court, presided over by Principal Junior Civil Judge K. Suresh Babu, ordered Kommineni’s remand until June 24, 2025, after which he was transferred to Guntur district jail following a medical check-up at the Guntur Government General Hospital. He faces charges under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including defamation, promoting enmity, outraging the modesty of women, and incitement, as well as provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for caste-based defamation.

Political debate

The arrest has ignited a heated political debate. The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), which owns Sakshi TV, condemned the action as a “blot on democracy” and an attack on press freedom. YSRCP president and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu of orchestrating the arrest to suppress dissent and divert attention from his administration’s failures, including cases of violence against women.

Freedom of speech vs media ethics

In contrast, TDP supporters and some analysts argue that Kommineni’s arrest was justified due to his role in amplifying offensive remarks. No major journalists’ unions or prominent media figures have publicly supported Kommineni, with analysts noting that his failure to issue an apology or moderate the debate ethically weakened his case.

The incident has also raised questions about media ethics and accountability. As the investigation continues, the case has sparked broader discussions on freedom of speech, political vendettas, and the role of journalism in Andhra Pradesh.

Kommineni’s supporters, including some YSRCP leaders, have called the arrest an attempt to intimidate opposition-aligned media, while critics demand stricter accountability for inflammatory content. The outcome of the legal proceedings is expected to have significant implications for media and politics in the region.