Kakinada, April 17: Stand-up comedian Anudeep Katikala walked free on Thursday night after the III Additional Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Kakinada granted him bail on a personal bond, following his arrest over controversial remarks targeting Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan and family members.
Police from Kakinada I Town station detained the Hyderabad-based comedian on April 14 evening in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, where he was visiting his parents. Brought to Kakinada by train early Thursday, Anudeep appeared before Magistrate B Sridevi at her residence around 9:30 p.m., prompting the court to reject police remand requests.
The controversy stemmed from a stand-up video uploaded on April 11, where Anudeep referenced Pawan Kalyan’s three marriages and suggested actor-producer Niharika Konidela seek his “advice” on divorce. Supporters of the Jana Sena Party leader condemned the jokes as misogynistic and defamatory, leading to complaints across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana police stations.
Charges invoked defamation, insulting the modesty of a woman, and publishing obscene material. Anudeep had issued a public apology, clarifying his intent to destigmatize divorce without malice toward individuals. “The joke emphasized respecting personal decisions,” he stated earlier.
Legal Challenges Raised
Defence lawyers Y. Rajesh and Md. Iqbal from the Human Rights Forum contested the arrest’s legality. They alleged no prior notice under Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita was served, and police failed to provide written arrest grounds as mandated by the Supreme Court’s ruling in Mihir Rajesh Shah v. State of Maharashtra. The court scrutinized these procedural lapses during the hearing.
Kakinada District SP G Bindu Madhav affirmed the arrest, stating no one would escape accountability for vulgar comments insulting public figures or families. Police had tracked Anudeep after viral outrage from fans.
This incident follows similar detentions of comedians like Rafiq over Pawan Kalyan-related jokes, highlighting tensions between free speech and political sensitivities in Andhra Pradesh.
Further court proceedings remain pending as the case unfolds.
