Three Telugu TV channels’ telecasted a conspiracy theory report relating to the death of the former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in a copter crash on September 2 accusing Ambani brothers. As a result, Ninety three Reliance properties were attacked on Thursday night across former Andhra Pradesh and 289 persons were arrested.

Police filed cases against TV5, Sakshi TV and NTV and arrested Brahmananda Reddy TV5’s senior executive editor and Venkata Krishna input editor. The channels were booked under section
153-A of the IPC (promoting enmity between classes), 505 (2) (false statement or rumour with intent to create ill-will between different classes) and section 16 of the Cable Network Regulation Act.

Now police discusses further action as a ban could be imposed on the channels. The final decision would be taken by the City Police Commissioner B. Prasada Rao. Mr Rao expressed that the procedure was in place to put a ban on any TV channel and the police will take actions accordingly. An American Journalist, Mark Ames made the report and his interrogation is to be part of the further investigations.

Most attacks were in Rayalaseema districts, Guntur and Prakasam and majority of culprits were found to be from the Youth Congress, NSUI and Jagan Yuva Sena. 114 cases were registered and 289 persons arrested according to DGP Girish Kumar.

Both Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Anil Ambani’s Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG) expressed shock over the report and condemned the attacks.

An RIL statement expressed, "We are shocked and outraged at the false, malicious, motivated and libelous news on TV5 channel concerning the fatal mishap of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s helicopter. While ADAG statement read "A malicious and criminal disinformation campaign by our corporate rivals."

Many from the political background are now joining the blame game as some said it was a plan to bring presidents rule in the state and oust chief minister K Rosaiah while N Chandrababu Naidu the president of TDP accuses Y S Jaganmohan Reddy who is YSR’s son and Kadapa MP. TDP claimed that Jagan Yuva Sena started an SMS campaign urging its supports to go on a rampage. Later the Kadapa MP issued a statement on TV urging supporters to maintain peace.

B. Surendranath, Vice chairman of TV 5, the channel which first ran the report said that it was only a debate based on a report on a Russian website. He said the channel repeatedly appealed to the public to not resort to violence.