In a major setback, former YSRCP MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy suffered a blow today as the Andhra Pradesh High Court dismissed his petition to quash a POCSO case filed against him. The case is based on allegations of spreading false information regarding the sexual assault of a minor.
Allegations and Background
The controversy began with Chevireddy’s allegations of sexual assault against a minor girl from Erravaripalem in Tirupati district. Such claims were publicized through various social media posts, which quickly gained widespread attention. However, a subsequent police investigation, along with medical tests, revealed that such an incident did not take place.
The girl’s father filed a complaint against Chevireddy stating that he illegally revealed the minor and her parents’ identities, which is a violation under the POCSO Act. Moreover, the complaint stated that the visit to the minor’s school by Chevireddy and his pledge of support further violated legal boundaries.
High Court Judgment
Chevireddy approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court to quash the case which he alleged did not have merits. However, the court agreed that the case filed by his father was genuine because it showed reputational harm caused by defamatory false statements made about him. After finding merits to the case, he had his petition dismissed.
What’s Next
This has also opened the way for further legal actions that may even go up to arresting Chevireddy under the POCSO Act. It has now made the spotlight turn on the Tirupati police, as the eyes are on their next moves after the verdict given by the High Court.