Dharmapuri Arvind approaches HC for anticipatory bail

HYDERABAD: Nizamabad MP Dharmapuri Arvind on Thursday approached the Telangana High Court for anticipatory bail in connection with a police complaint alleging he made derogatory remarks made against scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

The incident dates to October 31, 2021, when Arvind — discussing cases filed against Q-News organiser Teenmaar Mallanna, who was in Chanchalguda Jail then — said that one case pending under the SC and ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act would also be cleared, terming the case a “lottapisula (ipomoea carnea plant, an amphibious weed)”.

On a complaint from Bangaru Sailoo, Mandannapet Police booked Arvind under sections 290 and 501 of the IPC and Section 3(1)(7) of the SC and ST (POA) Act. The complainant alleged that Arvind diminished the self-respect of SCs and STs, claiming that the statement was derogatory.

Upon the police filing a case, Arvind got interim relief from the High Court, which directed the police not to take any action. However, the interim orders were recently vacated by the court — which said that a public representative must be careful in using words — allowing police to take action in the case.