Hyderabad: The Banjara Hills police arrested former Mojo TV ex-CEO Pogadadanda Revathi in an SC/ST atrocity case booked against her in January. She was produced before a magistrate and sent to judicial remand. She had recently exited Mojo TV.
Complainant Hamare Vara Prasad, a Dalit activist and commentator, had alleged that Ms Revathi along with co-anchor Raghu brought his caste into discussion during a news debate on whether women should be allowed to enter the Sabrimala temple. Based on his complaint, the Banjara Hills police booked a SC/ST atrocity case against three Mojo TV anchors in January.
Ms Revathi alleged that the police had come without a warrant and asked her to accompany them for questioning. Taking to social media, she posted on Twitter that the police had tried to take away her phone.
Banjara Hills police later said that she had been served with two notices but they had received no response.
Banjara Hills ACP K. Srinivasa Rao told Deccan Chronicle, “We arrested her in a SC/ ST atrocity case on Friday afternoon. The allegations made by her are baseless and false. Two separate notices were issued asking her to appear before us for questioning. As there was no response, the arrest was made. We have sent her to judicial remand.”
He refused to say if the police had a warrant. Asked whether there is any political pressure, he replied: “We are doing our work. There is absolutely no pressure from anyone.”
Congress MP A. Revanth Reddy reacted to the row, stating, “This is a clear cut case of harassment by corporate companies on media and journalists. The government should immediately intervene.”
Speaking to this newspaper, Mr Vara Prasad alleged that Ms Revathi and Mr Raghu had abused him based on his caste after which he lodged a complaint.
“Raghu said, ‘As a Dalit person, you don't question the oppression of Dalits in the country. Instead you’re worried about women's temple entry.” He said as the discussion got heated, Mr Raghu asked him to get out.
“I was invited respectfully and must leave respectfully. How can they use my caste and ask me to get out,” he asked. Ms Revathi had at that time denied that there was any intention to pick on his caste.
