Telangana HC issues notice in plea challenging FIR over circulation of alleged morphed image of CM Revanth
The case has been registered under Sections 186(2), 353(1)(a), and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.
By Newsmeter Network
CM Revanth moves court seeking quashing of FIRs; Telangana HC issues notice to complainant
Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Monday issued notice to the State Government and the de facto complainant in a criminal petition filed by Kavali Venkatesh seeking quashing of an FIR registered against him for allegedly morphing and circulating an obscene photograph of Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on social media platforms.
A Single Bench comprising Justice J Sreenivas Rao directed the respondents to file their response by February 11 and permitted the petitioner’s counsel to serve personal notice on the de facto complainant, Goolla Narasimha.
The petitioner, a businessman residing at Brahmana Veedhi, Kotakonda in Mahabubnagar District, has challenged the proceedings in FIR No. 11 of 2026 dated January 11 registered at Maddur Police Station in Narayanpet District.
What is the case about?
The case has been registered under Sections 186(2), 353(1)(a), and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 67 of the Information Technology Act.
According to the prosecution's case, the petitioner allegedly edited a photograph of the Chief Minister in an obscene and humiliating manner and posted it in a WhatsApp group named ‘Telangana Public TV Whatsapp group’ before circulating the morphed images across various social media platforms. The complaint was filed by Goolla Narasimha, a politician from Mominapur in Maddur mandal, Narayanpet district, alleging that the act demeaned and dishonoured the Chief Minister.
Petitioner alleges threats from police
During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner, Kalyan, submitted that his client is a law-abiding citizen who has been falsely implicated based on a false complaint.
He contended that the police failed to comply with the provisions of Section 35(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, corresponding to Section 41-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and have not adhered to the Supreme Court judgment in Arnesh Kumar versus State of Bihar.
The counsel further alleged that the police are threatening the petitioner by visiting his residence daily with the intention to arrest him in disregard of the Supreme Court directions.
When the petitioner’s counsel pleaded innocence and lack of connection to the alleged offence, Justice Sreenivas Rao observed that the Supreme Court, while dealing with a similar case, had taken serious note of such issues, remarking that victims have a fundamental right to oppose such acts and that this is a secular country.
The matter has been adjourned to February 11 for further hearing.
