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Responding to the allegations, the Jana Sena Party announced the constitution of a 3-member enquiry committee to examine the claims
The party directed Arava Sridhar to appear before the committee within seven days and furnish an explanation. (News18 Telugu)
Serious allegations of sexual exploitation have levelled against Jana Sena Party MLA and government whip Arava Sridhar, setting off a major political controversy in Andhra Pradesh. The controversy began on Tuesday when a woman posted a video on social media, accusing the Railway Koduru legislator of sexually exploiting and threatening her over the past 1.5 years.
Responding to the allegations, the Jana Sena Party announced the constitution of a 3-member enquiry committee to examine the claims. According to a statement issued by the party’s central office in Mangalagiri, the state committee has appointed T Shivashankar, Tamballapalli Ramadevi and TC Varun to investigate the matter. The committee has been asked to submit its report after a detailed enquiry.
The party directed Arava Sridhar to appear before the committee within seven days and furnish an explanation. Until a final decision is taken based on the committee’s findings, the legislator has been asked to refrain from participating in party activities. The statement was signed by Jana Sena political secretary P Hariprasad.
రైల్వే కోడూరు ఎమ్మెల్యేపై వచ్చిన ఆరోపణలపై విచారణకు కమిటీ. pic.twitter.com/Qw9ydOidyg— JanaSena Party (@JanaSenaParty) January 28, 2026
Woman’s Allegations
In her video, the woman claimed that she first came into contact with Sridhar after congratulating him on Facebook following his election victory as MLA from Railway Koduru constituency in Tirupati district. She alleged that he later spoke to her over the phone and, in July 2024, took her in a car and raped her in the Rajampet area. According to her, she became pregnant and was forced to undergo an abortion. She further claimed that the assaults continued thereafter and that Sridhar threatened her husband to force a divorce.
She also alleged that when she confronted Sridhar, he insisted that she divorce her husband, warning her she had to obey him as he was an MLA.
As the controversy intensified, Sridhar released a video statement on Tuesday, denying all allegations and terming them a “deliberate campaign” against him. He said he had served as a village head for three years prior to becoming an MLA and had never faced any such accusations.
The MLA asserted that he would pursue legal action against those circulating what he described as fake videos and against those allegedly behind them. He also stated that his mother had lodged a police complaint, claiming that the woman had been harassing him for the past six months.
Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh Women’s Commission Chairperson Rayapati Shailaja said she had spoken to the woman over the phone and gathered details regarding the allegations. She assured that the matter would be thoroughly investigated and that appropriate action would be taken.
The MLA’s mother, Arava Prameela, also addressed the media in Railway Koduru on Tuesday, alleging that the woman was attempting to extort Rs 25 crore by threatening to destroy her son’s political career. She claimed that the woman initially visited their house as a relative, developed closeness with her son, repeatedly called him and pressured him to marry her. Prameela further alleged that certain YSRCP leaders were mentally harassing their family through the woman.
According to the family, after the woman allegedly created a scene at their residence, they approached the district Superintendent of Police. Railway Koduru police subsequently registered a case against the woman on January 7. The family has stated that they are prepared to fight the matter legally.
Andhra Pradesh, India, India
January 28, 2026, 20:04 IST
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