Hyderabad: BRS social media convenor Manne Krishank was taken into custody from his residence in Hyderabad on Friday, September 18, in connection with a social media post, amid a confrontation between police personnel and BRS leaders.
A large police contingent reportedly reached Krishank’s residence at around 5 am. BRS legal cell members and senior party leaders gathered at the location after learning about the police action.
According to Telangana Today, police said they had come to serve a notice in a case involving allegedly objectionable content posted by Krishank on X. BRS leaders, however, alleged that police forced open the gates and attempted to enter the residence without properly serving the notice. Krishank was subsequently taken to the Central Crime Station for questioning.
In a statement released after the incident, Krishank alleged that around 50 police personnel arrived at his home and forced open the security grills and main door. He questioned the need for a large police presence to serve a notice, stating that he was a public political figure and not a fugitive.
Krishank also alleged that the incident caused distress to his family. He said his seven-year-old daughter was frightened by the commotion and could not attend a scheduled examination. These claims have been made by Krishank and the BRS; independent confirmation of the specific allegations about the force used at the residence was not immediately available.
Social Media Post Linked to Saifabad Police Station
The case is reportedly linked to a social media post by Krishank concerning CCTV footage from the Saifabad police station.
Krishank had raised questions about the presence of masked individuals at the police station, in the context of a separate BRS allegation concerning an alleged attempt to attack aides of BRS working president KT Rama Rao. The allegation has been disputed and remains part of the wider political confrontation between the BRS and the Telangana government.
The Telangana High Court has separately directed the preservation of CCTV footage from the Saifabad police station in connection with allegations concerning BRS aides.
Krishank has alleged that his arrest is connected to the BRS raising issues concerning the state government, including land-related matters, farmers' concerns and student issues. He also said that he would continue to question the government.
BRS Criticises Police Action
The BRS has criticised the arrest, alleging that the Congress-led Telangana government is using police action against opposition leaders over their social media activity.
BRS working president KT Rama Rao separately questioned Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over Krishank’s arrest and alleged that police broke into Krishank’s residence. Rama Rao also accused the state government of restricting political criticism and free speech. These are allegations made by the BRS and have not been independently established.
The arrest comes amid a broader dispute over the legal treatment of political criticism on social media in Telangana. In February 2026, the Supreme Court upheld directions arising from a Telangana High Court case requiring greater scrutiny before cases concerning political social-media posts are registered mechanically.
The Telangana High Court has also issued rulings in separate cases concerning political criticism on social media. In one 2026 case, the court held that political criticism, without the necessary elements of coercion or interference with voting, did not constitute the offence alleged in that matter.
Police have not publicly detailed all sections of the case against Krishank in the reports available so far. Further details regarding the FIR, the allegations in the complaint and the next legal steps are awaited.
