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New Indian Express
7 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Telangana court allows KTR defamation case against Surekha
HYDERABAD: The Judicial First Class Magistrate (JFCM) for Excise cases has taken cognisance of a criminal defamation complaint filed by BRS working president K T Rama Rao against Endowments Minister Konda Surekha. Rama Rao filed the private complaint under Section 222 read with Section 223 (BNSS) in October 2024. Cognisance refers to a court formally acknowledging a complaint and deciding to initiate proceedings after examining the allegations. Responding to the development, Surekha, in a statement, said that she has faith in the judiciary. 'These cases and fights are not new to me. My life has been full of struggles,' she said. Rama Rao posted on X: 'Truth will always come out, if not immediately, eventually. Power doesn't absolve anyone of irresponsible statements or character assassination. It is a chance to serve, not to peddle rumours or target opponents. I hope this serves as a lesson to those who think they can get away with such actions in the name of politics.'
Indian Express
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
‘Political speeches are often exaggerated': Telangana HC quashes criminal defamation against CM Revanth Reddy
The Telangana High Court Friday quashed a criminal defamation case against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. The case stems from remarks made by the CM against the BJP during the Lok Sabha election campaign at Kothagudem in May 2024. On Friday, the Bench of Justice Lakshman allowed the petition filed by Reddy to quash the proceedings against him in the case pending trial before a Special Judicial First Class Magistrate (JFCM) for Excise cases (designated MP-MLA court) in Hyderabad. He was booked under Section 499 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Section 125 (promoting enmity between classes in connection with an election) of the Representation of the People Act. The complainant, Telangana BJP unit represented by its General Secretary Kasam Venkateshwarlu, contended that the statements, such as 'the BJP, if voted to power, would change the Constitution and abolish reservations to SC/ST and BC communities', were part of a 'fake and dubious political narrative' to confuse voters and promote enmity between communities. The BJP alleged that the speech lowered the party's reputation and caused damage during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Special JFCM for excise cases in August 2024 had issued a summons to Revanth Reddy, asking him to appear personally before it. Subsequently, the chief minister approached the high court challenging the complaint and seeking to stay the proceedings initiated against him. The high court had earlier granted him an exemption from personal appearance before the trial court. The petitioner's counsel, T Niranjan Reddy, informed the court that political speeches should not be the subject of defamation, 'as elections inherently involve parties seeking to lower each other's reputation.' He said the 'alleged speech is a routine activity of a political leader to criticise the opposition and is not defamation,' and that such speeches are protected under Articles 19 and 21 of the Constitution. The petitioner, among other allegations, argued that the complaint was filed with a political vendetta to harass the petitioner and constitutes an abuse of the legal process. On his part, the counsel for the respondent, Devineni Vijay Kumar, argued that the statements created mistrust and fear among voters, bringing disrepute to the BJP. After hearing both sides, the court rejected the contention of the petitioner that political parties do not enjoy reputation and cannot maintain a complaint for criminal defamation. The court also found neither the complainant (BJP Telangana) nor its representative, Kasam Venkateshwarlu, was authorised by the national unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party to file the complaint. Refraining from discussing the contents of the alleged speech and the issue of its defamatory nature, the court noted, 'Political speeches are often exaggerated. To allege that such speeches are defamatory is another exaggeration.' 'It is trite law that, power of quashing should be exercised very sparingly and circumspection and that too in the rarest of rare cases. However, where the initiation of criminal proceedings suffers from material defects or where such criminal proceedings constitute abuse of process, the inherent powers can be exercised to quash criminal proceedings,' the court stated in the order.
Deccan Herald
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Deccan Herald
Telangana HC quashes defamation case against CM Revanth Reddy
The High Court allowed the petition filed by Revanth Reddy seeking to quash proceedings against him in the case pending trial before a Special Judicial First Class Magistrate (JFCM) for Excise cases (designated MP-MLA court) here.
Hindustan Times
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Telangana High Court quashes defamation case against Revanth Reddy
The Telangana High Court on Friday quashed a defamation case against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy in connection with a speech delivered by him during the Lok Sabha election campaign in 2024 after a BJP leader accused him of making false and baseless allegations against the saffron party. The BJP leader had stated that the statement was misleading and false, and that it had defamed the party and its workers.(AICC via PTI) The High Court allowed the petition filed by Revanth Reddy seeking to quash proceedings against him in the case pending trial before a Special Judicial First Class Magistrate (JFCM) for Excise cases (designated MP-MLA court) here. Telangana BJP General Secretary Kasam Venkateshwarlu had earlier filed a complaint in the special court accusing Revanth Reddy of making statements during an LS election meeting in Bhadradri Kothagudem district on May 4, 2024 that the BJP, if voted to power, would change the Constitution and abolish reservations. The BJP leader had stated that the statement was misleading and false, and that it had defamed the party and its workers. The Special JFCM for Excise cases in August 2024 has issued summons to Revanth Reddy asking him to appear personally before it. The Chief Minister subsequently approached the High Court challenging the complaint and to stay the proceedings initiated against him. The High Court had earlier granted him exemption from personal appearance before the trial court.
Hans India
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Notice issued to govt on petition filed by Uttam seeking quash of 2 criminal cases
On Wednesday Justice Lakshman issued notice to the State government and the de facto complainants in two criminal petitions filed by Minister N Uttam Kumar Reddy seeking a direction to quash two FIRs registered against him. The FIRs were registered against Reddy and others in two police stations in Huzurnagar for violating the model code of conduct (Huzurnagar by-elections). The FIR 187/2019 dated October 18 was registered at PS Nereducharla (Suryapet district) against Reddy, then MLA, A Revanth Reddy, the then MP, and Kolli Prabhakar Reddy for violating the code. A chargesheet,395 of 2023, was filed U/s. 341, 188 r/w. 34 of IPC and Section 30 of Police Act, 1861. The FIR 184/2019 was registered at PS Palakaveedu in the district against Reddy and others for holding a road show on October 18 at Janpahad village. The chargesheet , 396 of 2023, filed U/s. 341, 188 r/w. 34 of IPC and Section 30 of Police Act is pending before the Special JFCM for Excise cases.
