The Gannvaram police took into custody a staunch Telugu Desam supporter, Dr. Vuyyuru Lokesh Babu, an American citizen of Indian origin, on Sunday for possessing a satellite phone without proper documentation.
The police apprehended Lokesh when he was suspiciously wandering in the Gannavaram airport corridor while Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy was preparing for a foreign tour.
Lokesh complained of heart pain, prompting the police to shift him to a private hospital. After treatment, he was questioned and released after being served a 41A notice.
On Sunday, Lokesh returned to the airport and again started wandering there, prompting the police to question him.
Lokesh claimed that he was at the airport because he was traveling to Delhi.
During the questioning, the police found a satellite phone in his possession. When asked for permission papers for the use of a satellite phone, Lokesh failed to produce any documents.
According to the police, one must obtain permission from the Union government to use a satellite phone. Since Lokesh was using it without documentation, the Gannavaram police took him into custody and shifted him to the police station.
Reports indicate that Lokesh hails from Venkatayapalem in Thullur mandal of Amaravati in Guntur district.
He moved to America, obtained US citizenship, and worked as a gastroenterologist for 38 years in Richmond, USA. His medical license was reportedly canceled by local authorities due to a violation of norms.
In 2022, Dr. Lokesh filed a lawsuit against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, and business tycoon Gautam Adani in the US District Court for the District of Columbia, alleging corruption and the use of Pegasus spyware, without providing documentary evidence.
Recently, Dr. Lokesh came to Andhra Pradesh to support the Telugu Desam Party in the elections.
He actively participated in poll discussions on vernacular channels, alleging that Jagan Mohan Reddy had been illegally transferring thousands of crores from his Tadepalli residence to foreign countries since 2016.
He further alleged that Jagan Mohan Reddy went abroad to safeguard his stash.