KTR issues defamation notice to Deccan Chronicle over misleading report

BRS working president KT Rama Rao has issued a legal notice to Deccan Chronicle, alleging defamation over a front-page report linking him to building permissions near Hussain Sagar. The notice demands removal of the article and an unconditional apology within 48 hours, warning of civil and criminal proceedings if the newspaper fails to comply.

Hyderabad: BRS working president KT Rama Rao served a legal notice on the management of Deccan Chronicle newspaper, accusing it of publishing a news report which was defamatory and intended to damage his reputation. 

The notice demanded that the newspaper remove the report and all related digital content within 48 hours and issue an unconditional public apology.

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The notice also warned that failure to comply would invite civil and criminal proceedings, besides claims for damages, against the management of Deccan Chronicle.

The notice, issued through his legal counsel, PV Janani & Associates, objected to the front-page article titled “KTR’s ‘Landlord’ Builds Tower in Hussainsagar”, published on July 8. It claimed the report falsely linked building permissions granted to a private developer near Hussain Sagar with Rama Rao’s farmhouse in Janwada and alleged misuse of official position during his tenure as a Minister in the previous BRS government.

The BRS working president’s legal team asserted that he had no connection with the private project, its developer or the permissions in question, and accused the newspaper of making baseless allegations without any supporting evidence. It further alleged that the report was published without seeking Rama Rao’s version, in violation of basic journalistic standards.