KTR defamation row: Nampally Court orders criminal case against Minister Konda Surekha

Hyderabad: The Nampally Court has directed police to register a criminal case against Telangana Minister Konda Surekha based on a defamation complaint filed by BRS Working President and former Minister KT Rama Rao (KTR).

The court, after reviewing preliminary material, concluded that there was sufficient prima facie evidence to initiate proceedings under Section 356 of the BNS, along with related provisions under Sections 222 and 223 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

It ordered that a criminal case be registered and a formal notice be served to the accused on or before August 21, 2025.

Court finds grounds for legal action

The court’s direction follows arguments made by KTR’s counsel, Advocate Siddharth Pogula, who asserted that Minister Surekha made defamatory statements targeting KTR in public without any substantiated basis. These statements, he argued, were intended to malign the former minister's reputation.

Ruling in favour of the complainant, the court rejected preliminary objections raised by the defense team, which had questioned the court's jurisdiction and termed the complaint speculative. The bench cited a previous High Court order (Criminal Petition No. 5670/2024), affirming that the court had proper jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

Electronic evidence accepted at preliminary stage

Another key point of contention was the admissibility of a pen drive submitted by KTR’s legal team, allegedly containing video evidence of the defamatory remarks. The defense argued it was inadmissible without a Section 65-B certificate under the Indian Evidence Act.

However, the court clarified that such certification requirements pertain to the trial stage and do not apply at the stage of complaint admission. It stated that the electronic material would be evaluated according to due legal procedure when the case enters the evidentiary phase.

Direct attribution strengthens the case

The court also observed that there was no evidence to suggest that the alleged defamatory comments had been previously published in the media. This reinforced the claim that the statements were made directly by Konda Surekha and not misconstrued by third parties, bolstering the credibility of the complaint.

Five witnesses support KTR’s allegations

Based on sworn depositions from five witnesses (PW1 to PW5), along with supporting documents, the court concluded that a cognizable offence appeared to have been committed. The court has now ordered police to formally register a criminal case and proceed with the issuance of notice to the accused.

This direction from the court marks an escalation in the ongoing political tussle between the BRS and Congress leaders, adding a new legal dimension to the war of words in Telangana’s political landscape, political experts opined.

Konda Surekha breaks silence on Defamation Case: “Let the law take its course”

Telangana Minister for Forest, Environment and Endowments, Konda Surekha, has responded to the recent media reports on the Nampally Court taking cognizance of a defamation complaint filed against her.

In a strongly worded statement, the Minister said she has immense respect for the judiciary and criticized the exaggerated portrayal of the development in sections of the media.

“The honourable court has taken cognizance of the case and the process will move forward. I have unwavering faith in the judicial system of this country,” said Surekha.

Calling the legal proceedings a regular part of public life, she said such cases are not new to her. “Legal cases and battles are nothing new for me. My entire life has been a fight, and I have faced much tougher situations,” she stated.

She expressed surprise at the way certain media outlets reported the court’s routine step as a sensational development. “Some journalists are presenting this as ‘big breaking news’ with undue excitement, which is quite surprising. It has been two days since the court took this procedural step, this is not a verdict or a dramatic turning point,” she clarified.

The Minister also took a jibe at the attention her name seems to draw in the media. “It’s amusing how the mention of my name alone sparks such enthusiasm. Some even claimed that the court has given a verdict. I leave that to their wisdom,” she said.

Konda Surekha also reiterated that the legal process will proceed as per law and she is prepared to face it. “The law will take its course, and I will face it with the same spirit I always have,” she affirmed.