YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Ambati Rambabu, along with Noori Fathima, daughter of former Guntur East MLA Mohammad Mustafa, on Tuesday alleged that the State government had falsely implicated Mr. Mustafa in a criminal case arising out of tobacco business dispute.

Reacting to the reported arrest of Mr. Mustafa by the Nuzvid police in Gujarat, they told the media here that Mr. Mustafa had paid advance to a tobacco trader for the purchase of stock, but the trader allegedly failed to supply the agreed quantity, or refund the amount.

They claimed that Mr. Mustafa's associates had intercepted the trader and the lorries carrying tobacco consignment, and handed them over to the Pedakakani Police Station, seeking legal intervention.

They questioned how a case of kidnap could be registered against Mr. Mustafa when the trader was taken directly to the police station instead of being illegally confined. The police, they alleged, failed to resolve the business dispute, and instead registered a case of kidnap and attempt to murder against Mr. Mustafa, his son Basheer, and others.

Mr. Rambabu and Ms. Fathima demanded that the government clarified the basis on which the kidnap charges were made. They also sought to know whether investigators had examined evidence relating to the financial transaction before registering the case. They alleged that the case was politically motivated.

Published - August 04, 2026 08:19 pm IST