Actor Kadambari Jethwani case misinterpreted on social media, says A.P. government

/VIJAYAWADA

The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday asserted that the nearly two-and-a-half-year-old Kadambari Jethwani case is being deliberately misrepresented on social media to malign its image.

The government clarified that the controversy involves two distinct criminal cases in which Ms. Jethwani is an accused in one and a victim in the other.

According to the government, the first case relates to allegations surrounding Ms. Jethwani’s relationship with Kukkala Vidyasagar, financial transactions between the two and accusations that she attempted to blackmail him. In this case, Ms. Jethwani is the accused and the police have filed a chargesheet after investigation.

The second case concerns allegations that a false case was foisted upon Ms Jethwani, accusing her of entering into a land agreement with Vidyasagar's associates using forged documents. Based on these allegations, Ms. Jethwani and her family members were allegedly arrested and illegally detained for several days at a guesthouse and a private hotel, where she was subjected to harassment.

The government said this case, registered in NTR district, led to an investigation against senior police officers, including then DGP-rank officer P.S.R. Anjaneyulu, IG Kanthi Rana Tata and SP-rank officer Vishal Gunni. It said the case drew nationwide attention, highlighting the need for police accountability and strict adherence to the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code.

According to the government, while Ms. Jethwani was an accused in the first case, the actions of certain police officials in the second case transformed her into a victim. It alleged that excessive zeal and unquestioning compliance with purported directions from the then CMO resulted in the illegal detention and harassment of Ms. Jethwani and her family members.

The government maintained that both cases have been handled independently based on evidence and legal procedure. It said that if wrongdoing by Ms. Jethwani is established in the first case, the police are duty-bound to prosecute her. Likewise, if senior police officers are found to have acted illegally in the second case, action would be taken against them based on the findings of the investigation.

Probe flawed: Jethwani

Meanwhile, Kadambari Jethwani, issued a press release on Thursday, stating that her side of the story was ignored and the investigation was ‘flawed’.

In the release, she said the CID has levelled false and baseless accusations against her. Denying the allegations that she blackmailed and extorted money from businessman KV.R. Vidya Sagar, she said the findings rest primarily on a financial transaction of around ₹4.5 lakh into her account from the complainant, along with call detail records and electronic communications.