Tension ran high at the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) office in Gollapudi, Vijayawada, following the arrest of Rajiv, the son of former minister and YSR Congress Party leader Jogi Ramesh. Rajiv was taken into custody by ACB officials due to his alleged involvement in the AgriGold land scam, a case that has drawn significant attention due to its massive financial implications.

Background on the Arrest
Rajiv’s arrest comes as part of the ACB’s ongoing investigation into the AgriGold land scam. The scam, which came to light in 2014-15, involved fraudulent schemes that duped over 11 lakh investors across multiple states. As a result, assets worth thousands of crores were attached by the authorities. Rajiv is accused of purchasing land that had been previously attached by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in connection with this scam. He is named as the primary accused in the case.

The ACB officials conducted a thorough search of Jogi Ramesh’s residence in Ibrahimpatnam before arresting Rajiv and bringing him to the ACB office in Vijayawada for further questioning.

Tensions at the ACB Office
The situation at the ACB office quickly became volatile as several YSR Congress Party (YCP) leaders, including prominent figures like Vellampalli, Appireddy, and Devineni Avinash, arrived with a large group of party activists. They gathered at the office to show their support for Rajiv and to seek a meeting with him. However, the police on duty denied them access, citing legal and procedural reasons.

The refusal led to a confrontation between the YCP leaders and the police, which escalated into a physical scuffle. The situation grew increasingly tense, with both sides refusing to back down. The police had to intervene forcefully to maintain order and prevent further escalation.

Political Reactions
The arrest and subsequent events at the ACB office have further intensified the already charged political atmosphere in Andhra Pradesh. Jogi Ramesh, defending his son, stated that Rajiv is innocent and that the charges against him are baseless. He suggested that the arrest might be politically motivated, aimed at targeting his family due to their political affiliations.

On the other hand, the authorities involved in the investigation maintain that the arrest is part of a legitimate legal process and that Rajiv’s involvement in the AgriGold land scam is under serious scrutiny.

Conclusion
As the investigation into the AgriGold land scam continues, the situation remains tense. The recent events at the Vijayawada ACB office highlight the high stakes involved in this case and the deep political divisions it has exposed. Further developments are expected as both the legal proceedings and political reactions unfold in the coming days.