The Sompeta court on Friday granted bail to senior YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader and former Minister Seediri Appala Raju, following which he was released from the Srikakulam District Jail.

Mr. Appala Raju had been arrested on July 22, 2026, on charges of misleading the Police Department in a road accident case, in which his son Seediri Arav was the prime accused.

A shepherd, Dubba Danayya, died on the spot when a speeding bike hit him near Kasibugga on July 10. The police initially arrested Mr. Arav’s friend Siddardh in the case. They, however, arrested Mr. Arav in the second week of July after reportedly finding that it was he who allegedly hit the shepherd with the bike and caused his instantaneous death.

The police then accused Mr. Appala Raju of trying to implicate Mr. Siddarth in the case with an intention to protect his son, and arrested him.

YSRCP leaders Dharmana Prasada Rao, Dharmana Krishnadas, and Yenni Dhanunjaya Rao hailed Mr. Appala Raju’s release from jail. “The court has come to the rescue of Mr. Appala Raju despite the government framing him in a false case,” Mr. Prasada Rao said.

Published - August 14, 2026 08:21 pm IST