Party demands criminal case and forensic examination of digital evidence submitted by Telugu-origin woman in Dallas
The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) has demanded the immediate dismissal and arrest of a Telugu Desam Party (TDP) minister over allegations of harassment made by Telugu-origin NRI Dr Talluri Shayla in Dallas, US.
YSRCP Women’s Wing state president and MLC Varudu Kalyani raised the issue at a media briefing in Visakhapatnam on August 6. She called for a criminal case to be registered and an independent forensic examination of chats, photographs and other digital material submitted by the woman.
According to Kalyani, Shayla had approached the minister seeking an appointment in connection with service-related activities. She alleged that the minister pressured her to meet him alone at a coffee shop and subsequently sent her inappropriate photographs.
Kalyani said the woman had publicly tagged Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Minister Nara Lokesh and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan while sharing what she described as supporting evidence. She alleged that the state government had not taken action on the complaint.
The YSRCP leader also claimed that social media groups supporting the TDP had targeted the complainant, adding to concerns over the treatment of the woman after she raised the allegations
Kalyani sought immediate protection for Shayla, an independent forensic inquiry and publication of its findings. She also called for the minister to be removed from the state Cabinet pending action on the allegations.
The demands come amid wider political tensions in Andhra Pradesh, with the YSRCP continuing to target the TDP-led coalition government over issues concerning women’s safety and alleged misconduct by ruling-party representatives.
The allegations have been made by the opposition party and should be established through an independent investigation. No findings from such an investigation were cited in the YSRCP statement.
