HYDERABAD: A social media war erupted between Supreme Court advocate Sidharth Luthra, who has been representing TD chief N. Chandrababu Naidu in the AP Skill Development Corporation case, and movie director Ram Gopal Varma, who accused Luthra of instigating public violence.
After unsuccessful attempts, first to prevent Naidu’s arrest and then to secure his bail, Luthra posted on X (formerly Twitter) a ‘motto of the day’, quoting Zafarnama written by Shri Guru Gobind Singh to Mughal ruler Aurangzeb.
It read: “When all has been tried and justice is not in sight it is right then to pick up the sword and it is then right to fight.”
Ram Gopal Varma, who has been posting on matters involving Naidu and Jana
Sena chief Pawan Kalyan, replied: “Is this your call out for TD cadre to arm themselves and revolt against investigating agencies and judiciary with violence?”
Bombarding Luthra’s post with a series of replies, Varma went on to say: “I am truly shocked that you being such a senior advocate of the SC just because of a legal setback can preach violence against the very judiciary that you pledged to serve. I sincerely hope that the Honorable Judges will take notice of your terrible proclamation (sic).”
Meanwhile, Naidu’s legal strategy was questioned by former CBI director K.
Nageswara Rao.
Questioning the rationale behind not moving a bail petition on the day of the arrest itself and lunch motion against arrest, Nageswara Rao wondered if there was an attempt to retain Naidu in jail for a longer period. “It’s baffling,” he said.
