Hyderabad: Former minister T. Harish Rao has filed a defamation case against TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud and govt whip in the legislative council Addanki Dayakar for allegedly making defamatory and baseless remarks against him by distorting his visit to a temple.
The complaint sought an action against the two Congress leaders under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
Video evidence and newspaper clippings related to the alleged statements were also submitted to the court through pen drives, according to the complaint. Harish Rao’s lawyers filed the criminal defamation complaint on Thursday before the Special judicial first class magistrate court for elected representatives at Nampally.
Harish Rao said such allegations were made with political motives and were an attempt to damage his reputation and insult his personal faith. The complaint also states that the allegations were part of a larger political diversion. At a time when the BRS and Harish Rao were questioning the Congress government over the implementation of the six guarantees, irrigation projects, drought relief and farmers’ problems, the Congress leaders allegedly resorted to personal attacks to divert public attention.
Mahesh Kumar Goud allegedly refused to accept the legal notice, while Addanki Dayakar responded by defending his remarks, according to the complaint. Harish Rao had already issued legal notices to both leaders through his lawyers last month, demanding that they withdraw their statements and issue an unconditional public apology. As the two leaders did not withdraw their statements or apologise, Harish Rao decided to approach the court.