In an unprecedented move, J. Shankaraiah , who served as the Pulivendula CI during the murder of former minister YS Vivekananda Reddy, has sent a legal notice to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. The notice alleges that Naidu made repeated false statements about him in connection with the case, seriously affecting his personal reputation.
Through his lawyer Dharaneshwar Reddy, Shankaraiah has sought a public apology in the Assembly and ₹1.45 crore compensation for the supposed damage. The unprecedented move of a police officer initiating action against a sitting Chief Minister has generated widespread debate and attention in political and administrative circles.
In March 2019, during the murder of Vivekananda Reddy, Shankaraiah was serving as CI of Pulivendula. CM Chandrababu Naidu publicly accused him of negligence, claiming that in his presence, the accused had destroyed evidence and washed bloodstains. Following these allegations, Shankaraiah was suspended by the state government in 2019. The suspension was lifted in October 2021 after the YS Jagan government assumed office.
Shankaraiah was also a key witness for the CBI. According to reports, he stated that Kadapa MP Avinash Reddy and his aide Devireddy Shivashankar Reddy threatened him, instructing him not to file a case or reveal the details of injuries on the deceased. However, he did not appear before the magistrate to officially record the statement, citing other work commitments. The CBI noted that his testimony may have been influenced due to pressure from the accused.
Now, Shankaraiah has taken the matter further by sending a legal notice directly to CM Chandrababu Naidu, seeking a public apology and monetary compensation. He is reportedly serving in the VR range of Kurnool. The rare move of a police officer challenging a sitting Chief Minister in such a direct manner has become a hot topic, drawing attention from media, political circles, and the public alike.
