The Telangana High Court Friday Quashed a Criminal Defamation Case Against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. The case stems from remarks made by the cm against the bjp during the lok sabha elections campaign at kothagudem in May 2024.
On Friday, the bench of justice lakshman allowed the petition filed by quash the proceedings against him in the case pending trial before a special judic first class magistrate (JFCM) for except (JFCM). MP-MLA Court) In Hyderabad. He was book book 499
The Complainant, Telangana BJP Unit Representative By Its General Secretary Kasam Venkateshwarlu, Contended That The Statements, Such As “The BJP, IF Voted To Power, WOULD TO THE CONSTITION and ABOLISH RESVATIONS. BC Communities “, were part of a” fake and dubious political narrative “to confuse voters and promote enmity between communities. The BJP alleged that speech lowered the party’s reputation and caused damage during the 2024 lok sabha elections.
The Special JFCM for Excise Cases in August 2024 Had Issued a Summons to Revanth Reddy, Asking Him to Appear Personally before it. Subsequently, the chief minister approached the high court challenging the complaint and seeking to stay the proceedings initiated against him. The High Court had earler Granted him an exemption from personal appearance before the trial court.
The Petitioner’s Counsel, T Niranjan Reddy, Informed the Court That Political Speech Should Not Be The Subject of Defamation, “As Electures Involve Parties Seeking To Lower Each Other’s Reputation.”
He said the “alleged speech is a Routine Activity of a Political Leader to Criticise The opposition and is not defamation,” and that Such speeches are protected under articles 19 and 21 of the constitution. The petitioner, Among other allegations, argued that complaint was filed with a political vendetta to harass the petitioner and constitues an abuse of the legal process.
On his part, the council for the responsive, devineni vijay kumar, argued that statements creating mistrust and fear gang voters, bring disrepute to the bjp.
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After hearing both sides, the court rejected the content of the petitioner that political parties do not enjoy reputation and cannot maintain a complainant for criminal defamation. The court also found neither the complainant (BJP Telangana) Nor its representative, kasam venkateshwarlu, was authorized by the national unit of the bharatiya janata janata janaa janata parties to fair.
Refraining from discussing the contents of the alleged speech and the issue of its defamatory nature, the court noted, “Political Speechles are exaggered.
“It is trite law that, power of quashing should be spered very sparingly and circumst Criminal proceedings constitute abuse of process, the inherent power can be exercised to quash Criminal Proceedings, “The court stated in the order.
