Man arrested for defacing YSR statue in Nandyal district

Allagadda police have arrested a person for reportedly smearing black paint on the face and body of the statue of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy at the Allagadda Four Road Junction in Nandyal district, on Monday.According to Superintendent of Police (SP) Suneel Sheoran, the incident took place on Sunday (August 16) night, when black paint was reportedly smeared on the face and body of the Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy’s statue. A white vest, displaying the photographs of YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and Mallikarjuna Reddy, a resident of Chintakunta village, was wrapped around the face of the statue. The vest had the phrases “YSRCP committed a property fraud worth 16 crores” and “We want justice” written on it.“The act not only damages the statue but also attempts to incite public emotions, foster animosity between political parties, and disrupt law and order in Allagadda town,” the SP said, adding that a case had been registered.Police identified the accused as Siddam Reddy Ramana Reddy from P. Chintakunta village of Allagadda mandal.Investigation revealed that Ramana Reddy was allegedly defrauded by some local YSRCP leaders, including P. Mallikarjuna Reddy. During 2022-2023, he reportedly even met senior YSRCP leaders Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, V. Vijayasai Reddy, Gangula Bhanumathi, Katasani Rami Reddy, and Gangula Bijendra Reddy alias Nani to voice his grievance.“Earlier in 2024, he created public nuisance regarding the issue at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli by affixing demand-related stickers and loudspeakers to his personal car. He stated that despite approaching YSRCP leaders multiple times, he did not receive justice and felt deceived by the party leadership and resorted to this act to register his protest,” the SP said.Meanwhile, the accused was caught while attempting to flee when Allagadda town police were conducting checks at a lodge on Monday afternoon. Police recovered a hammer, an unopened half-litre can of black paint, and a tee-shirt displaying the photograph of Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy from the accused. Published - August 17, 2026 08:52 pm IST