Speaker issues legal notice to former BRS MLA over defamation

Telangana Assembly Speaker G Prasad Kumar has issued a legal notice to former BRS MLA Methuku Anand, demanding an unconditional apology and withdrawal of alleged defamatory remarks. The Speaker also sought Rs 10 crore in compensation, warning of civil and criminal proceedings if the demands are not met within seven days.

Hyderabad: Speaker G Prasad Kumar has served a legal notice on former BRS MLA Methuku Anand, demanding an unconditional apology and withdrawal of all alleged defamatory statements made against him, besides seeking Rs 10 crore as compensation.

The Speaker’s lawyers, in the notice issued on Thursday, warned the former MLA that failure to comply with the demands within seven days would compel them to initiate appropriate civil and criminal proceedings.

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According to the notice, during a press interaction at Vikarabad on January 19, the former BRS MLA had alleged that the Speaker dismissed disqualification petitions of certain MLAs accused of defection in exchange for bribes. The allegation was described as false, baseless and defamatory per se.

The notice stated that the remarks had caused serious damage to the Speaker’s reputation and were made with malafide intent, warranting legal action if not withdrawn within the stipulated time.