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Andhra MLC arrested for threatening witnesses in driver’s murder case

Amaravati, April 24 (IANS) Anantha Babu, a member of Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council belonging to YSR Congress Party, was arrested on Friday in the case of the murder of Dalit youth and driver Veedhi Subrahmanyam.

The Member of Legislative Council (MLC) was arrested by police in Rajamahendravaram amid high drama when he came out of a court after hearing on a petition for cancellation of his bail.

Police personnel were deployed in large numbers outside the court to arrest the MLC, who was accompanied by his wife, Lakshmi Durga, also an accused in the murder case.

Police are likely to shift the MLC to Kakinada, where he is likely to be produced before a court later in the day.

Police were on the lookout for Anantha Babu, who had reportedly gone into hiding after being accused of violating bail conditions and intimidating key witnesses in the case. Police had formed five special teams comprising five Circle Inspectors and 10 Sub-Inspectors to nab the MLC.

A fresh case was registered at the Sarpavaram Police Station in Kakinada on April 20, following complaints by four key witnesses in the murder case.

They alleged that Anantha Babu had offered them substantial sums of money to change their statements. They also alleged that when they refused the bribe, they were met with death threats. Three of them claimed that they were forcibly detained in an apartment by the MLC’s followers and were pressured to retract their previous statements and provide false testimony during the trial.

The MLC was booked for witness tampering and criminal intimidation.

Special Public Prosecutor Muppalla Subbarao had also filed a petition in the Rajahmundry Special Court seeking the immediate cancellation of Anantha Babu’s bail. The petition argued that by attempting to influence witnesses and using threats, the accused had breached the conditions set forth by the Supreme Court when he was granted bail.

The Special Court had adjourned the hearing to Friday.

Anantha Babu, whose real name is Anantha Uday Bhaskar, is accused of killing his former driver, Subrahmanyam, and later delivering the body to the victim’s house.

Subrahmanyam (34) was found dead under suspicious circumstances in Kakinada on May 19, 2022. The MLC of the then-ruling YSR Congress Party had personally transported the body to the victim’s parents’ residence around 2 a.m. in his own car, claiming it was a road accident.

The family, however, suspected foul play and refused to accept the body. The murder had sparked protests by the victim’s relatives and Dalit organisations.

The MLC was subsequently arrested, and the YSRCP suspended him from the party.

With the investigating officer unable to submit the charge sheet within 90 days, Anantha Babu was released on default bail in December 2022.

After coming to power in June 2024, the TDP-led coalition government decided to reinvestigate the case.

In July 2025, the SC/ST Special Court ordered a reinvestigation into the case.

–IANS

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G7 Summit: PM Modi gifts Nagauri Ashwagandha, Ramban honey and Banarsi silk stoles to world leaders

Paris/New Delhi, June 19 (IANS) Continuing with his efforts to highlight India’s growing leadership in advancing traditional medicine as an evidence-based, integrated and people-centred component of global health systems, Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted Nagauri Ashwagandha to world leaders during the recently-concluded G7 Summit in France.

Nagauri Ashwagandha is a high-quality variety of Ashwagandha grown in Rajasthan, especially the Nagaur district, known for its rich withanolide content due to its arid climate and sandy soil. Recognised with a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, it holds a strong cultural and agricultural significance.

In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is valued as a Rasayana herb that supports vitality, mental clarity, immunity, and overall well-being. Derived mainly from its roots, it is widely studied today for its adaptogenic and health-supporting properties.

Nagauri Ashwagandha also supports rural livelihoods and represents the integration of traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with modern scientific research and global wellness trends.

PM Modi’s other gifts to the global leaders attending the G7 Summit at Evian also included Ramban honey and Banarsi silk stoles.

Ramban honey is a natural honey produced in the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, an area rich in Himalayan flora and wildflowers that give it a distinctive taste and nutritional profile.

Valued in Ayurveda and traditional wellness systems, it is known for its natural antioxidants, enzymes, and bioactive compounds. Produced by local beekeepers using traditional, environmentally sensitive practices, Ramban Honey reflects the region’s biodiversity, cultural heritage, and long-standing beekeeping traditions rooted in harmony with nature.

Banarasi silk stole is a traditional handwoven textile from Varanasi, crafted from fine silk and decorated with intricate zari work. Known for its elegant texture and detailed motifs inspired by nature, it reflects centuries of refined weaving techniques passed down through generations.

Also recognised with a GI tag, Banarasi silk represents one of India’s most prestigious textile traditions. It also supports the livelihoods of weaving communities and stands as a symbol of India’s rich cultural heritage, craftsmanship, and artistic continuity.

India was invited as a partner country to the 52nd G7 Summit where Prime Minister Modi engaged with world leaders on issues of importance to India as well as to the Global South. This was India’s 13th participation at the G7 Summit and Prime Minister Modi’s seventh consecutive participation at the summit.

–IANS

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Ahead of Constitution debate, Rahul’s letter to LS Speaker seeking two-day discussion surfaces

New Delhi, Dec 12 (IANS) After repeated disruptions and washouts of both Houses of Parliament since the commencement of the Winter Session, the Lower House is likely to witness ‘normalcy’ on Friday and see a productive discussion on the completion of 75 years of the adoption of the Constitution of India.

A debate on the historic milestone for the Constitution has been scheduled in Lok Sabha on December 13 and 14.

Meanwhile, a letter by the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has surfaced ahead of the highly-anticipated debate in the Lower House.

In the letter dated November 26, 2024, the Congress MP demanded a two-day debate on the adoption of the Constitution.

“This historic occasion of the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of India by the Constituent Assembly provides an invaluable opportunity for all the MPs to collectively reflect on the legacy of B.R. Ambedkar,” Rahul wrote and demanded that two days be allocated for a dedicated debate.

Citing precedents of previous debates on Balasaheb Ambedkar’s legacy, Rahul pointed out, “In 2015, both Houses held a two-day, 13-hour discussion on November 26 to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar. We also had discussions in both Houses on August 9, 2017, to mark the 75th anniversary of the Quit India Movement, and in 2022 to mark the 75th anniversary of the country’s independence.”

The move is set to ignite a ‘credit war’ between the ruling BJP and the INDIA bloc as both would seek to take credit for ‘bringing the House to normalcy’.

Chaos and pandemonium have largely prevailed in both Houses, with the government and opposition taking potshots at each other on multiple issues. Both have pinned blame on each other for the repeated washouts. Both sides, a couple of days ago, had agreed on breaking the logjam with a two-day discussion on the Constitution.

Today, both the leading parties BJP and Congress issued a ‘three-line whip’ to all its Lok Sabha MPs, instructing them to mark their presence in the House on December 13 and 14, when it takes up debate on the Constitution.

If the House witnesses productive and prolonged debate, as scheduled, the Treasury and Opposition benches will pat their back with an intent to drive home the message that it was the other side that derailed the functioning of Parliament.

–IANS

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