TPCC files complaint against KTR for linking CM Revanth to Nampally FSL fire
The remarks were made against the recent fire incident at Telangana State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Nampally
By Newsmeter Network
Hyderabad: The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) has formally petitioned the State Election Commission to take action against BRS Working President and MLA KT Rama Rao (KTR) for allegedly making defamatory and baseless remarks against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy during a recent election campaign.
The remarks were made against the recent fire incident at Telangana State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Nampally. Crucial evidence was at risk of getting burned down before the flames were extinguished.
What is the case about?
In a letter dated February 9, P Rajesh Kumar, Chairman of the TPCC Election Commission Coordination Committee, accused KTR of intentionally misguiding the public and damaging the integrity of the Chief Minister. The complaint centres on a speech delivered by KTR at a ‘corner meeting’ in Bhupalpally on the same day, held in connection with the ensuing Municipal Elections.
The Congress party alleges that KTR’s statements violate the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), specifically the guidelines that require political criticism to be confined to policies, programs and past records rather than unverified allegations or attacks on private lives.
What had KTR said?
The controversy stems from KTR’s public claims regarding a recent fire at the Telangana State Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Nampally. During his Bhupalpally address, KTR allegedly suggested that the fire was a deliberate act of sabotage orchestrated by Chief Minister Revanth Reddy to destroy evidence.
Key allegations made by KTR in his speech included:
- Destruction of Evidence: KTR claimed the Chief Minister ‘set fire’ to files and evidence at the FSL to avoid conviction in the 2015 ‘Note-for-Vote’ case, which he alleged is nearing its final legal stages.
- Specific Evidence: KTR specifically mentioned that the fire was aimed at destroying ‘bags’ containing Rs 50 lakh and other materials related to the ‘Note-for-Vote’ scandal.
- Conspiracy Theory: He questioned the timing of the fire (occurring during winter) and the absence of staff at a 24/7 facility, suggesting the laboratory was turned into ‘charcoal’ to protect the ‘thief’ from going to jail.
‘Baseless allegations against CM’
The TPCC has labelled these allegations ‘totally baseless,’ stating that KTR’s speech falsely gave the impression that the Chief Minister himself torched the files.
Following KTR’s initial claims, the Telangana FSL Director, Shikha Goel, clarified that all material evidence related to the 2015 ‘Note-for-Vote’ case had already been returned to the Principal Special Judge at the ACB Court in Nampally as of March 2021. Officials stated that no material objects about that specific case were in the laboratory at the time of the fire.
