Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Minister BC Janardhan Reddy’s cousin brother slapped an on-duty police constable during a temple inauguration in Andhra Pradesh’s Nandyal district. A video of the incident has now gone viral on social media.

The incident took place on Thursday at the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in Kolimigundla mandal.

AR constable Jaswanth Kumar was posted at the venue and stopped the Minister’s cousin, Bobbala Madana Bhupal Reddy from entering a restricted area. According to the complaint, Reddy allegedly abused and slapped the constable in public.

Following this, the Kolimigundla police registered a case under IPC Sections 132, 121(1), 126(2), and 351(2) which deal with obstructing and assaulting a public servant on duty. Bhupal Reddy was arrested on Friday morning.

TDP Minister BC Janardhan Reddy, who was present at the event, condemned the incident. In a statement, he said, “I strongly condemn the assault on the AR constable. As soon as I came to know about the incident, I issued instructions to senior police officials to register an FIR and take legal action against whoever was involved. There is no place for such behaviour in public life. Those in public life should act responsibly.”

The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) criticised the incident, calling it a sign of growing impunity among those close to power.

In a post on X the party said, “This shameful act reflects the growing impunity enjoyed by those close to power, where even law enforcement officers are not spared. The silence of the government on this incident raises serious concerns about rule of law in Andhra Pradesh.”