Vijayawada Cybercrime Police on Thursday night served notices on YSRCP former MP from Hindupur, Gorantla Madhav, to appear before it on March 5 for questioning in a POCSO case registered last year.

A case had been registered in November 2024 against the former MP, who himself was a police officer before joining politics, based on a complaint by former Andhra Pradesh Mahila Commission Chairperson Vasireddy Padma. In her complaint, Ms. Padma alleged that Mr. Madhav had revealed names of multiple rape victims including minors and demanded action.

Ms. Padma was a YSRCP leader and resigned in October 2024 after the party lost in the 2024 general elections. A case had been registered against Mr. Madhav under relevant sections of BNS and also POCSO Act.

On Thursday night, Vijayawada Cybercrime Police reached Mr. Madhav’s residence at Anantapur and served the notices. Mr. Madhav took the notices in front of media and read out the contents of the same. The notices were served under Section 35/3 of BNS.

Speaking to reporters after receiving the notices, Mr. Madhav said the State government is curtailing the freedom of expression of the opposition parties. “The Opposition has the freedom to expose the wrongs committed by the ruling party in print, electronic or social media platforms, and the notices served on me is an example of same stifled with an iron hand,’’ he alleged.

Mr. Madhav alleged that the government is creating an atmosphere of terror. “The government is putting false cases against opposition party leaders and is resorting to illegal arrests,’’ he alleged. Mr. Madhav said the days are not far when an internal strife will take place if this kind of situation continues and Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister K. Pawan Kalyan should keep that in mind, he said.

Mr. Madhav said he will discuss with his legal team and take a decision on the notices. He, however, said that he will cooperate with the police and judiciary in the case registered against him. Mr. Madhav said that he had revealed the names of the victims which were already published in media and social media platforms. “I took the names while stating that the government had failed in implementing ‘Super Six’ schemes, and at the same time it failed to provide protection to women and girls, during a press conference. The government instead of acting against the accused is arresting the opposition leaders,’’ Mr Madhav said. Mr. Madhav further alleged that Mr. Naidu had also revealed the names of rape victims in several meetings and also at a meeting in Dharmavaram in Ananatapur district.