Hyderabad: Former minister T. Harish Rao has filed a defamation case against TPCC president B Mahesh Kumar Goud and govt whip in the legislative council Addanki Dayakar for allegedly making defamatory and baseless remarks against him by distorting his visit to a temple.Harish Rao’s lawyers filed the criminal defamation complaint on Thursday before the Special judicial first class magistrate court for elected representatives at Nampally. The complaint sought an action against the two Congress leaders under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. Video evidence and newspaper clippings related to the alleged statements were also submitted to the court through pen drives, according to the complaint.Last month, Harish Rao visited the Kollur Mookambika Devi temple in Karnataka along with his family. The complaint states that he visited the temple as a Hindu and a devotee as part of a spiritual trip. However, Harish Rao alleged that Mahesh Kumar Goud and Addanki Dayakar deliberately distorted the visit and made allegations that he had performed black magic rituals wishing that rains should not fall in Telangana. The remarks were allegedly made at Gandhi Bhavan and repeated through the media and social media.Harish Rao said such allegations were made with political motives and were an attempt to damage his reputation and insult his personal faith. The complaint also states that the allegations were part of a larger political diversion. At a time when the BRS and Harish Rao were questioning the Congress government over the implementation of the six guarantees, irrigation projects, drought relief and farmers’ problems, the Congress leaders allegedly resorted to personal attacks to divert public attention.Harish Rao had already issued legal notices to both leaders through his lawyers last month, demanding that they withdraw their statements and issue an unconditional public apology. According to the complaint, Mahesh Kumar Goud allegedly refused to accept the legal notice, while Addanki Dayakar responded by defending his remarks. As the two leaders did not withdraw their statements or apologise, Harish Rao decided to approach the court.ends/
