VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh High Court has strongly criticised the Police Department for failing to curb obscene content and objectionable messages on social media, as well as on flex banners.
Hearing a petition filed by former YSRCP social media incharge Sajjala Bhargava Reddy, who sought cancellation of a Look Out Circular (LOC) issued against him by immigration authorities, on Thursday, Justice Battu Devanand expressed serious concern over the increasing trend of abusive and provocative posts, stating that such things reflect a lack of effective policing in the State.
Referring to a controversial flex banner displayed in Vijayawada that read “We are waiting for the destruction you will carry out in 2029”, the court questioned who exactly was being threatened, whether it was the State or its people.
The court observed that such messages were being openly displayed due to the inability of police to act decisively. It remarked that the continued emergence of such objectionable content on social media indicates that offenders had little fear of law enforcement.
The court asked the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and police whether individuals would dare to post such objectionable content on social media if a proper investigation was conducted and chargesheets were promptly filed in cases.
Noting that the inaction of authorities had emboldened offenders, the court observed that those posting abusive content were becoming increasingly aggressive because police were asleep.
Police should act firmly to ensure that violators fear legal consequences: HC
“Law enforcement agencies should act firmly to ensure that violators fear legal consequences. Strict action should be taken to suppress those responsible for posting offensive content on social media,” the court observed.
While acknowledging that political parties may have ideological differences and engage in criticism, the court questioned the right of individuals to target family members of the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, or other ministers. It asserted that no one has the right to damage another person’s reputation.
“Posting derogatory remarks against the CM amounts to insulting the five crore people of Andhra Pradesh,” the court observed. The court also recalled a 2020 incident in which derogatory posts were made against sitting High Court judges.
Although a case was registered and investigation was handed over to the CBI, it did not yield significant outcome. The court noted that such lack of results had emboldened offenders.
Representing APCID, Public Prosecutor Menda Lakshminarayana informed the court that the LOC was issued against Bhargava Reddy at the request of the then SP of Annamayya district after the petitioner allegedly failed to cooperate with the investigation in a case registered by B Kothakota police.
The court questioned whether notices were properly served to the petitioner under Section 41(A) of the CrPC and sought details of efforts made to secure his presence.
It also asked whether there was evidence to prove that the petitioner refused to cooperate with police.
The judge noted that the LOC was requested on November 7, 2024, and issued on November 8, 2024, with a validity of one year, which expired on November 7, 2025.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Justice Devanand reserved the verdict.