Hyderabad: Former minister T. Harish Rao on Thursday filed a criminal defamation case against TPCC president B. Mahesh Kumar Goud and Government Whip Addanki Dayakar over alleged remarks about his temple visit.
The Harish Rao defamation case was filed before the Special Judicial First Class Magistrate Court for MPs and MLAs in Nampally. His legal team sought action against the two Congress leaders under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
The lawyers also submitted video evidence and media clips through pen drives. In addition, they placed documentary evidence before the court in support of the complaint. Harish Rao, a former minister and BRS Legislature Party Deputy Floor Leader, had visited the Kollur Mookambika Devi Temple in Karnataka with his family last month.
He maintained that the visit was a routine spiritual pilgrimage. However, he alleged that the Congress leaders falsely accused him of performing “black magic rituals” to prevent rainfall in Telangana.
According to Harish Rao, the remarks were made at Gandhi Bhavan. He alleged that they were subsequently circulated widely through the media and social media platforms. The BRS leader claimed that the statements were intended to damage his reputation and malign his personal faith.
Harish Rao defamation case follows legal notices
Harish Rao also alleged that the remarks formed part of a deliberate political attempt to divert attention from key public issues. He cited the implementation of the Congress government’s six guarantees among those issues. He also referred to irrigation management, drought relief and farmers’ grievances.
The Harish Rao defamation case followed legal notices issued to both Congress leaders last month. Through the notices, Harish Rao had demanded an unconditional public apology over the alleged remarks.
According to the complaint, Mahesh Kumar Goud refused to accept the legal notice. Addanki Dayakar, meanwhile, responded in writing and defended his comments. Harish Rao said he had spent 20 years in public life and had been elected as an MLA seven times. He also referred to his tenure as a senior cabinet minister.
The BRS leader asserted that he would no longer tolerate what he described as personal slander. He also expressed confidence in the judicial process after initiating the criminal defamation proceedings.