In the 18 months since the Telugu Desam Party (TDP)-led NDA coalition seized power in Andhra Pradesh in June 2024, a chilling wave of sexual harassment, assaults, and rapes targeting women and minor girls has emerged, with fingers pointing squarely at TDP leaders, workers, and their kin. Opposition voices, particularly from the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), decry a breakdown in law and order, accusing the ruling party of shielding perpetrators amid claims of political protection and police inaction. Mainstream media reports, including from NDTV, India Today, and The News Minute, have substantiated several high-profile cases, revealing a pattern of abuse that has sparked outrage and demands for accountability. As Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu vows strict action against crimes against women, critics argue the government’s scrapping of protective measures like the Disha app has left victims vulnerable.
Power and Impunity
The accusations paint a grim picture of TDP figures exploiting their positions for predatory behavior. From ministers’ aides to local party workers, the alleged offenders are said to operate with party backing, often threatening victims with job loss, transfers, or violence. YSRCP leaders like former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy have publicly condemned the surge in atrocities, claiming over a dozen reported cases of rape and assault within months of the regime change. Reports from sources like The Hindu and PTI highlight how opposition complaints about online abuse and physical attacks have gone unheeded, fueling perceptions of a biased administration.
Public humiliations and assaults
Incidents of public shaming and physical violence underscore the brazenness of the alleged crimes. In one case, TDP leaders reportedly stripped and beat women over a land dispute in the Home Minister’s own constituency, symbolizing a broader erosion of women’s safety. Similar assaults on Anganwadi workers and daily wage earners reveal how economic vulnerability is weaponized, with perpetrators demanding sexual favors in exchange for jobs or bills.
Political Predators
Prominent TDP MLAs and secretaries face grave charges, from obscene video calls to attempted molestations in hotels. These cases, often backed by audio, video, and message evidence presented in press conferences, have led to suspensions and arrests in some instances. Yet, critics allege that party loyalty trumps justice, with influential figures like ministers’ sons evading full accountability.
Minors and Dalit Women at Greatest Risk
A disturbing subset of allegations involves minors, including schoolgirls and hostel residents, with perpetrators ranging from elderly party leaders to youths from TDP families. Dalit and tribal communities appear disproportionately affected, with reports of gang rapes and forced pregnancies highlighting caste-based exploitation. Media investigations, such as those by CJP, expose a pattern of bureaucratic silence and political blame-shifting in these atrocities.
List of Sexual Harassment, Assault, Rape, and Attempted Rape Incidents
- June 30, 2024: In Kotapuratla, Payakaraopeta (Anakapalli district, Home Minister Anitha’s constituency), TDP leaders stripped the clothes of two women, Varalakshmi and Lakshmi, pulled their hair, and assaulted them during a land dispute.
- July 3, 2024: In Odiveedu panchayat, Veeraballi mandal (Annamayya district), TDP leader Peddareddy attempted to rape a woman from the Dulla Harijanawada community.
- August 30, 2024: At Gudlavalleru Engineering College (Krishna district), secret cameras were installed in girls’ washrooms, recording over 300 videos; college management is linked to prominent TDP, with threats of counter-cases against questioning students.
- September 3, 2024: In Julakalva village, Singanamala mandal (Anantapur district), TDP leader Sreenivasulu Naidu made obscene phone calls to MGNREGA women workers, demanding they “come to his bed” for bill payments.
- September 3, 2024: In Gonimekalapalli, Roddam mandal (Sri Sathya Sai district), TDP worker Imam attempted sexual assault on a Dalit woman, with efforts to suppress the case backed by Minister Savitha.
- September 5, 2024: Satyavedu TDP MLA Koneti Adimoolam lured a woman party leader to a hotel and molested her; she presented obscene messages, audios, and videos at a press conference in Hyderabad (led to TDP suspension, as reported by Times of India).
- October 17, 2024: TDP state secretary and Chandrababu observer Gajula Khadar Basha assaulted a woman in Rayachoti (Annamayya district) under the pretext of pension help, with explicit videos exposed.
- October 19, 2024: In Palasa-Kasibugga (Srikakulam district), youths from TDP families (Paila Shiva, Mohan, Sai) gang-raped two students after drugging them at a fake birthday party, recording the act.
- October 22, 2025: In Tuni (Kakinada district), TDP leader Narayana Rao (father of Home Minister Anitha’s aide) attempted to rape a 13-year-old hostel girl in a sapota orchard; confronted on video, he fled but was arrested under POCSO, later committing suicide in custody (substantiated by NDTV, India Today, The News Minute).
- November 13, 2024: In R. Khanapuram village, Gudur mandal (Kurnool district), TDP leader Boya Gopal attempted to rape a married woman while she worked in the fields; she escaped by screaming.
- November 22, 2024: In Sugalibidi, Chintakommadinne mandal (YSR district), a girl was gang-raped by children of TDP MLA followers.
- January 5, 2025: In Amadalavalasa (Srikakulam district), TDP worker Kotipalli Raju impregnated a 9th-class girl with false promises, threatening her family with party affiliation.
- January 12, 2025: In Atikoppaka, Yelamanchili mandal (Anakapalli district), the son of a TDP ward member (8th-class student) sexually assaulted a 4-year-old girl on a rooftop; the family then attacked the victim’s relatives.
- February 9, 2025: Tirupati Jana Sena in-charge Kiran Royal (alliance partner) exploited a woman physically and financially ( Rs. 1.3 crore and 30 sovereigns of gold), with no action despite a complaint and secret videos.
- April 6, 2025 : In Sattenapalli (Palnadu district), TDP leader Boddu Venkateswara Rao harassed an Anganwadi worker with casteist threats, demanding sexual compliance or job loss.
- June 3, 2025 : In Akividu (West Godavari district), TDP worker Shaik Meera sexually assaulted a 7-year-old girl in his home, threatening to kill her parents if she spoke.
- June 5, 2025: In Edulagurralapalli near Ramagiri (Anantapur district), TDP workers repeatedly gang-raped a Dalit minor girl over months, recording videos and impregnating her; the family was forced to relocate.
- June 15, 2025: In Rajahmundry, TDP MLA Adireddy Vasu’s follower Pulaparthi Satyadev impregnated a 17-year-old Dalit minor with marriage promises; a POCSO case filed after YSRCP intervention.
- July 3, 2025 : In Agrarahapeta, Naidupeta (Tirupati district), TDP worker Mondem Uday attempted sexual assault on a sleeping young woman at midnight.
- July 21, 2025 : In Brahmasamudram (Anantapur district), a TDP mandal convener’s aide, Vannurappa, sexually harassed a widow promising a KGBV seat for her daughter.
- July 21, 2025 : In Hindupur government hospital (Sri Sathya Sai district), TDP leader Yugandhar (Chintu) demanded sexual commitment for reinstating a sanitation worker’s job.
- July 22, 2025 : In Ibrahimpatnam mandal (NTR district), TDP village president Katepalli Subbarao’s year-long sexual harassment drove a Dalit woman, VOA to attempt suicide with sleeping pills.
- August 1, 2025 : In Machilipatnam, TDP leader Pallapati Subrahmanyam’s son Abhivan was arrested for cheating and abandoning a young woman after promising marriage.
- August 3, 2025 : Guntur East TDP MLA Mohammed Naseer Ahmed’s video call with obscene gestures to a woman leader went viral.
- November 26, 2025: In Mangapuram village, Ramagiri mandal (Sri Sathya Sai district), TDP worker Golla Vishnu and relatives assaulted Anganwadi helper Indraja, pulling her saree and beating her for refusing to resign.
- November 27, 2025: Tribal Welfare Minister Gummadi Sandhya Rani’s son, Prithvi and PA Satish financially exploited and sexually harassed a widow teacher in Saluru (Parvathipuram Manyam district), including threats and physical assaults.
- November 27, 2025: In Kavali (Nellore district), TDP state secretary Pamidi Ravikumar Chowdary mentally and sexually harassed married woman Geethanjali, creating marital discord and orchestrating attacks.
