Top AP officials asked to file counters on arrest, detention of political leaders

Vijayawada: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has served notices on AP chief secretary, home principal secretary and director general of police to file their counters on a petition challenging the arrest and detention of political leaders from TD, Jana Sena, etc.

A division bench of Chief Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur and Justice Raghunandan Rao heard on Wednesday the PIL filed by former TD MLA GV Anjaneyulu. It urged the HC to direct the police “not to arrest, detain and house-arrest political leaders” and “ allow them to exercise their right to conduct protest rallies.”

Petitioner’s counsel Yelamnjula Balaji argued that the police were entering the houses of leaders and causing trouble to the residents.

“The police, wearing their uniform, are not supposed to enter the houses of citizens without booking an FIR. Such actions would mean a violation of the right to life and freedom guaranteed under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution,” he said.