The Nampally court on Thursday, November 28, issued a summons to Telangana Cabinet Minister Konda Surekha in a defamation case filed by popular Tollywood actor Nagarjuna.
Taking cognizance of the complaint filed by the actor, the court adjourned the hearing to December 12 and directed the minister to appear at the next hearing.
Nagarjuna had filed the complaint last month against the Minister for Forest and Endowments. The complaint pertained to comments made by the minister linking the divorce of his son, Naga Chaitanya, and Samantha Ruth Prabhu, to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K.T. Rama Rao, which had drawn widespread condemnation.
The actor sought action against the minister under Section 356 (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. He pleaded with the court to take cognizance of the complaint and direct the police to initiate action for criminal defamation.
While hearing the petition, the Nampally Court had earlier issued a notice to the minister. It also recorded the statements of Nagarjuna and two witnesses.
The actor told the court that the minister’s remarks had harmed the dignity and reputation of his family.
Nagarjuna claimed that Konda Surekha’s comments had tarnished his family’s reputation, which had been built over decades through their work in the film industry and social service initiatives.