Trouble seems to be mounting for Telangana minister Konda Surekha as BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao on Thursday filed a criminal defamation case against her. Surekha’s remarks alleging Rama Rao’s involvement in the divorce of actor-couple Nga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu had stirred up a storm in the state.
Rama Rao, popularly known as KTR, had sent a legal notice to Surekha on October 2 demanding an apology for her comments. Since there was no response from the Congress leader’s side, he went on with the defamation suit.
KTR, son of former chief minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao, alleged that the minister made the statement with a malafide intent to harm his reputation and defame him, a punishable offence under the BNS.
KTR further claimed that Surekha made similar defamatory statements against him during the election campaign in April 2024.
Surekha, the state forest minister, stoked controversy after she claimed that KTR was the reason behind the divorce between Naga Chaitanya and Samantha. The minister also raised a flurry of allegations against KTR, linking him with drugs and blackmail.
READ: Telangana minister says KTR behind Naga Chaitanya - Samantha divorce, sparks row
Naga Chaitaya and Samantha were married for four years before they parted ways in 2021.
Surekha’s remarks drew sharp reactions from the film industry with several actors coming forward to condemn them.
Naga Chaitanya’s father, actor Nagarjuna Akkineni, has already filed a defamation case against the minister, accusing her of making defamatory statements against him and his family.
A local court has issued a notice to Surekha on Nagarjun’s complaint and posted the matter for hearing to October 23.