BJP’s Defamation Case: HC Issues Notices to Revanth

Hyderabad: The Nampally court on Wednesday issued notices to Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy in a criminal defamation complaint filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state general secretary Kasam Venkateshwarlu. The order was passed by the special judicial first-class magistrate (JFCM) for excise cases, directing that notice be served to Reddy under Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Code by September 25.

The court found that a prima facie case was made out against the Chief Minister under Sections 499 (defamation) of the Indian Penal Code and 125 of the Representation of the People Act. The complaint was based on statements allegedly made by Reddy during a Lok Sabha election meeting on May 4 at Prakasam Stadium in Kothagudem town.

According to Venkateshwarlu, Reddy had falsely claimed that the BJP planned to abolish reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes if it came to power again in the 2024 general elections. The statements were challenged by Venkateshwarlu, who filed the complaint on May 24, accusing Reddy of making allegations that defamed the BJP.