Court Orders Criminal Case Against Telangana Minister in Defamation Row

In a significant legal development, the Nampally Court has instructed the police to file a criminal case against Telangana Minister Konda Surekha, following allegations of defamation made by BRS Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR). The case stems from purported defamatory statements made by Surekha about KTR, which lacked factual support, according to the court's preliminary review.

The directive mandates that the case be registered and a notice served to Surekha by August 21, 2025. The ruling came after the court reviewed arguments by KTR's lawyer, Advocate Siddharth Pogula, who contended that Surekha's remarks were baseless. The court dismissed counterarguments from Surekha's legal team that the complaint was speculative or fell outside its jurisdiction.

Crucially, the bench emphasized its authority to process the complaint, supported by a previous High Court directive. Despite defense objections about a pen drive submitted as evidence, the court ruled its admissibility would be determined later, asserting the current stage required no Section 65-B certificate under the Indian Evidence Act. Witness testimonies and documents fortified the decision to proceed with the case.

(With inputs from agencies.)