Home Minister Caught Red-Handed
Despite clear objections from officials, life convict Aliveli Srikanth, serving a sentence in Nellore Jail, was granted parole due to political pressure and the direct intervention of Home Minister Vangalapudi Anita. Evidence has now surfaced that the parole was sanctioned in violation of rules, at the behest of TDP MLAs and with the minister’s personal approval.
TDP MLAs’ Recommendation for Parole
TDP legislators from Nellore district, Kotamreddy Sridhar Reddy and Pasam Sunil Kumar, recommended parole for Srikanth, a habitual offender and life convict who had once escaped from prison. Tirupati district SP Harshavardhan Raju filed a report explicitly advising against granting parole, citing Srikanth’s criminal background. Acting on that report, Joint Secretary of the Home Department, K.V. Kishore Kumar, officially rejected the parole proposal on July 16.
Deal with Aruna and Minister Anita
Undeterred, the two MLAs continued to pressure Home Minister Anita. A deal was allegedly struck between Srikanth’s close aide, Nidigunta Aruna, and the minister. Once the arrangement was finalized, Anita herself signed the note file directing parole to be issued. The file then went to Home Secretary Kumar Viswajit, who—under unavoidable ministerial pressure—approved the parole, and orders were officially issued on July 30. Intelligence reports confirming these developments were later submitted to the CMO.
Anita Fumbles in Press Meet
Although the parole was cleared with her explicit involvement, Home Minister Anita publicly feigned ignorance at a press conference on Tuesday. She admitted that “a mistake might have happened” and said that a call had been received from Aruna to the Home Department regarding the parole. She claimed she canceled the parole once she learned of the details and denied further responsibility. When reporters questioned her about the recommendation letters from TDP MLAs and her own note-file approval, she tried to evade by saying there was no need for a “post-mortem” on the issue. Intelligence reports, however, later indicated that Anita’s version was misleading.
Parole Used for Settlements
Srikanth, a notorious rowdy-sheeter from Nellore district convicted of murder, is said to be using parole breaks to expand his criminal network. Aruna, operating from outside, has been managing settlements, allegedly with the support of TDP MLAs and some officials. Frequently citing health reasons, Srikanth has been moved from jail to Tirupati hospitals, where he meets Aruna and continues to run his criminal empire.
Crimes Surfacing One by One
Allegations of Srikanth’s involvement in multiple crimes are surfacing. A recent death case in Sullurupeta, Tirupati district, has been linked to him. An audio recording that went viral on social media featured a man alleging that Srikanth threatened to kill him—or push him into suicide. His name has also been connected indirectly to other murder cases. Some of his former associates even filed police complaints in Tirupati and Nellore, accusing Srikanth and Aruna of plotting to kill them. In Vijayawada, another victim lodged a complaint alleging that Aruna cheated him. Following negligence during Srikanth’s parole period, three staff members have already been suspended by higher police authorities.
Aruna’s Arrest Amid Growing Exposure
As videos and photos of Aruna’s close interactions with Srikanth inside hospitals surfaced, she suspected a conspiracy by TDP leaders to discredit her. On Facebook, she posted an emotional note saying: “If such a big conspiracy is happening against us, why are those who have used Srikanth for so long silent now? At worst, you may kill me! Isn’t that all? Better to face that than live bearing all these accusations and suffering.” With fears that Aruna might expose the names of influential leaders and officials, the government promptly ordered her arrest.
