In a significant relief for Tollywood star Allu Arjun, the Andhra Pradesh High Court has recently quashed a poll code violation case against him.
The court’s decision came in response to a petition filed by the actor, challenging the First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Nandyal town police, which alleged that he violated the election code during the recent Assembly elections in May.
The controversy arose after Allu Arjun visited the home of Nandyal MLA Silpa Ravi on May 11, who was campaigning for re-election. His visit occurred without prior approval from the Returning Officer, leading to legal action against both the actor and the incumbent MLA, a candidate from the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP).
Allu Arjun’s appearance attracted a large crowd of fans eager to see him, which prompted a local government official to file a complaint at the Two Town Police Station. The complaint alleged that the actor had disobeyed an order issued by a public servant, as Section 144 of the Election Code and Section 31 of the Andhra Pradesh Police Act were in effect at the time.
In light of the incident, the Election Commission of India (ECI) took action against the then Nandyal District Superintendent of Police, Raghuveer Reddy, for his failure to enforce the election code of conduct effectively.
The ECI instructed the Andhra Pradesh Director General of Police to file charges against the Superintendent and initiated a departmental inquiry involving him and two other officials.
Allu Arjun approached the High Court to seek the quashing of the case. On October 25, the court issued an interim order prohibiting any legal action against him until November 6.
During the hearing, the actor’s counsel argued that his visit to Nandyal was personal and unrelated to the elections. He emphasized that Allu Arjun should not be held responsible for the crowd that gathered outside Silpa Ravi’s home.
Silpa Ravi, officially known as Singareddy Ravichandra Kishore Reddy, ultimately lost in the elections held on May 13.
The court’s ruling marks a notable victory for Allu Arjun, allowing him to move forward without the burden of legal proceedings related to the incident. This outcome underscores the importance of clearly delineating personal engagements from political activities, especially in a sensitive electoral context.
As the actor resumes his professional commitments, this resolution provides him with much-needed peace of mind amid the bustling political landscape of Andhra Pradesh.
