Guntur: A criminal case was filed against Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan in Guntur on Sunday, following a directive by District Judge Sarath Babu. The Fourth Additional District and Sessions Judge has also directed Kalyan to appear before the court by March 25.

Police booked the Jana Sena leader under Sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code based on the judge's order. The charges pertaining to allegations of defamatory remarks against village and ward volunteers.

The volunteers from AP village and ward secretariat had lodged a complaint against Pawan Kalyan and accused him of making objectionable comments against them during his Varahi yatra rally in Eluru on June 3 last year. Following the actor-turned-politician’s speech. The volunteers approached the police and filed a case against him.

Later, the Andhra Pradesh government accorded sanction to prosecute actor-politician Pawan Kalyan for his "defamatory" statement against the gram/ward volunteers and the government.

The state government issued a Government Order (GO), directing the Public Prosecutor to file a complaint in a competent court of law against the Jana Sena Party (JSP) leader for making baseless allegations against gram/ward volunteers and government.

Also Read: 1 Million Star Campaigners Roar ‘Siddham’ for CM YS Jagan's Raptadu Meeting