TS HC Directs Govt to Provide Security to Independent Candidate Karne Barrelakka

HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court on Friday directed the government to provide security to Karne Shireesha alias Barrelakka, a YouTube content creator who claims she is representing unemployed youths and is contesting the November 30 Assembly election from the Kollapur constituency as an independent.

Justice C.V. Bhaskar Reddy said that Shireesha was a candidate in the elections and, keeping in view the recent attack on her brother, should be provided with security during the elections.

Earlier, the judge took a serious view of the government and the police not responding to Shireesha’s representation seeking security.

Justice Bhaskar Reddy was dealing with a petition filed by Shireesha, in which she brought to the notice of the court how her brothers were attacked by anti-social elements because she was contesting the elections.

Madhavaram Rameshwara Rao, counsel for Shireesha, informed the court that even after the attack and threats, police and the concerned officer of electioneering did not respond to either take action and to provide security to the petitioner.

In the morning session, the court directed the general pleader for home to get instructions as to whether the petitioner will be provided with security or not. In the event, the petitioner is not provided security, Justice Bhaskar Reddy said that he would direct the ECI to appoint a special officer to ensure her security during this election.

In the post-lunch session, the judge directed the government to provide the security to her till the completion of votes on the counting day.

Shireesha has drawn the attention of various sections of society for her videos, and has secured donations on her promise of representing unemployed youths to whom she has offered to set up a hospital and free coaching centres. She also promised transparency in recruitment and welfare schemes to the youth.