Former Andhra Pradesh Intelligence Chief P Sitharama Anjaneyulu Arrested for Allegedly Harassing Actor Kadambari Jethwani

Senior IPS officer and former intelligence chief of Andhra Pradesh, P.S.R. Anjaneyulu, was arrested on Tuesday in connection with the alleged wrongful arrest and harassment of Mumbai-based actor Kadambari Jethwani.

Vijayawada Police apprehended Anjaneyulu from his residence in Hyderabad, Telangana. He is to be taken to Andhra Pradesh for further legal proceedings.

Background of the Arrest

Anjaneyulu, considered a close aide to former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy, is one of three officers previously suspended for their role in the case.

The suspension followed revelations that the actor’s arrest occurred without proper directives or supporting evidence.

Alongside Anjaneyulu, former Vijayawada Police Commissioner Kranti Rana Tata and ex-Deputy Commissioner Vishal Gunni were also suspended in September 2024.

Questionable Arrest Procedures

Suspension orders signed by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu highlighted multiple lapses in protocol. Arrest orders for Jethwani were allegedly given verbally on January 31, with travel arrangements made even before the FIR was officially registered on February 2.

Jethwani, along with her parents, was arrested from their Mumbai home after a complaint by KVR Vidyasagar, a film producer and YSRCP member.

Serious Allegations and Bail Struggles

Vidyasagar accused Jethwani of forgery, cheating, and extortion related to a land dispute.

The actor and her family spent over 40 days in judicial custody before obtaining bail. Her lawyer, N. Srinivas, accused the police of blocking bail efforts and claimed the charges were fabricated.

Jethwani maintained that the arrest was politically motivated and carried out under pressure from influential figures. She alleged that the operation was executed without written approval and involved serious procedural violations.

Complaint and Subsequent Suspensions

In August 2024, Jethwani filed a complaint with the NTR District Police Commissioner, accusing Andhra Pradesh police of illegal arrest and harassment.

She claimed her family was “dragged, abducted and dumped,” stating her human rights were completely denied.

Her complaint led to the suspension of two additional officers—ACP Hanumantharao and CI Satyanarayana—bringing the total to five officials under scrutiny.

Political Backdrop and Alleged Influence

The case gained further traction due to links with a Mumbai-based industrialist allegedly connected to Reddy.

Jethwani was reportedly pressured to drop rape charges against the businessman, who is involved in a major steel project in Kadapa—YSRCP’s political stronghold.

The industrialist met Reddy in December 2023 to discuss the stalled Kadapa Steel Plant project, which was relaunched under private partnerships in 2023.

CID Probe and High-Ranking Arrest

The Crime Investigation Department (CID), currently handling the probe, took Anjaneyulu into custody on Tuesday. He is expected to be produced in court in Vijayawada.

Anjaneyulu, a 1992-batch IPS officer, had remained without a posting since Naidu’s government came into power in June 2024.

YSRCP Alleges Political Vendetta

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) condemned Anjaneyulu’s arrest, calling it “an alarming misuse of state power” and part of a broader political vendetta by the ruling TDP-led alliance.

Former minister Ambati Rambabu defended Anjaneyulu, calling the arrest a tactic to distract from land allotment controversies under the Naidu administration.

Rambabu further warned that the TDP was creating a hostile environment for civil servants, stating the arrest “sends a chilling message” to officers resisting political interference.

Controversial Land Case and Suspension Orders

Suspension orders issued by the Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary were based on a report from the Vijayawada Police Commissioner. The report detailed how Tata and Gunni acted on oral instructions from Anjaneyulu before a formal FIR was filed.

The orders stated that on January 31, Anjaneyulu directed the officers to arrest Jethwani without a registered case, pushing the investigation based on incomplete data. This was deemed a clear “misuse of official position and dereliction of duty.”

Legal and Political Implications

The YSRCP claimed that despite Vidyasagar, the complainant in the case, securing bail, Anjaneyulu was unfairly targeted. They argued that the arrest reflects more of a political retaliation than a legitimate legal necessity.

The case continues to unfold, with implications for the state’s administrative integrity, legal procedures, and the wider political landscape in Andhra Pradesh.