Telugu star Allu Arjun booked for election code violation after visiting Andhra MLA

Arjun has previously campaigned for Shilpa Ravichandra Kishore Reddy, the YSRCP candidate and sitting Nandyal MLA, during the 2019 elections too.

In a statement, the DCP said that the theatre failed to inform police that the lead actor and other cast members were going to come there.(Video screengrab/ Silpa Ravi Reddy/ X)

Police in Andhra Pradesh’s Nandyal district have booked popular Telugu actor Allu Arjun after his visit to YSRCP candidate and sitting MLA Shilpa Ravichandra Kishore Reddy’s residence caused a large crowd to gather. The FIR also names the MLA.

In the incident that took place Saturday, Arjun waved to the crowd as it chanted ‘Pushpa’ – the name of the actor’s superhit movie – for over an hour. This triggered an allegation of election code violation.

Grateful to the people of Nandyal for the warm reception. Thank you, @SilpaRaviReddy garu, for the hospitality. Wishing you the very best in the elections and beyond. You have my unwavering love and support pic.twitter.com/n34ra9qpMO

— Allu Arjun (@alluarjun) May 11, 2024

Following the incident, the Special Deputy Tehsildar of Nandyal lodged a complaint at the Nandyal Town police station, saying Arjun had no permission from the constituency’s Returning Officer to conduct any election programme, and that the gathering of such a large crowd posed a public safety issue and caused a law and order situation.

Police registered a case Saturday under IPC section 188 (Disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant). The FIR also states that Arjun breached election protocols and was in violation of CrPC Section 144 (assembly of more than 4 people) and Section 31 of AP Police Act.

Arjun has previously campaigned for Reddy, the Nandyal MLA, during the 2019 elections too.

Sreenivas Janyala

Sreenivas Janyala is a Deputy Associate Editor at The Indian Express, where he serves as one of the most authoritative voices on the socio-political and economic landscape of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. With a career spanning over two decades in mainstream journalism, he provides deep-dive analysis and frontline reporting on the intricate dynamics of South Indian governance. Expertise and Experience Regional Specialization: Based in Hyderabad, Sreenivas has spent more than 20 years documenting the evolution of the Telugu-speaking states. His reporting was foundational during the historic Telangana statehood movement and continues to track the post-bifurcation development of both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Key Coverage Beats: His extensive portfolio covers a vast spectrum of critical issues: High-Stakes Politics: Comprehensive tracking of regional powerhouses (BRS, TDP, YSRCP, and Congress), electoral shifts, and the political careers of figures like K. Chandrashekar Rao, Chandrababu Naidu, and Jagan Mohan Reddy. Internal Security & Conflict: Authoritative reporting on Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), the decline of the Maoist movement in former hotbeds, and intelligence-led investigations into regional security modules. Governance & Infrastructure: Detailed analysis of massive irrigation projects (like Kaleshwaram and Polavaram), capital city developments (Amaravati), and the implementation of state welfare schemes. Crisis & Health Reporting: Led the publication's ground-level coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic in South India and major industrial incidents, such as the Vizag gas leak. Analytical Depth: Beyond daily news, Sreenivas is known for his "Explained" pieces that demystify complex regional disputes, such as river water sharing and judicial allocations between the sister states. ... Read More