Telangana HC seeks police reply in Harish Rao’s Yadadri temple ritual case

The Telangana High Court has directed Yadagirigutta police to submit an explanation in a case against BRS MLA Harish Rao over a temple ritual allegedly violating norms. The Court also issued notices to the temple Executive Officer.

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court on Thursday directed the Yadagirigutta police to submit their explanation in a case registered against BRS leader and Siddipet MLA, T. Harish Rao. The Court also issued notices to the temple Executive Officer (EO).

The case relates to a ritual performed by Harish Rao at the Yadadri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple in August last year. Harish Rao, criticising Chief Minister Revanth Reddy for allegedly deceiving farmers by failing to fulfill his promise of loan waiver by August 15, performed paapa parihara puja (atonement rituals) at the temple premises with private priests he had brought along.

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The temple EO, Bhaskar, lodged a complaint alleging that such political rituals violated temple norms and hurt devotees’ sentiments. Based on the complaint, the police registered a case against Harish Rao, MLC Deshapathi Srinivas, and former MLA Gongidi Sunitha.

Rao approached the High Court seeking quashing of the case. Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) informed the Court that four witnesses’ statements had already been recorded and the investigation was still pending. He sought additional time to file a counter affidavit along with copies of the witness statements. Considering the submissions, Justice K. Lakshman adjourned the matter to October 14.

In a separate case, Harish Rao had moved the High Court seeking to quash an FIR registered against him by Bachupally police in February, based on a complaint by Chakradhar Goud alleging threats from the former minister and his followers. Justice K. Lakshman issued notices to the respondents and adjourned the hearing to October 8.

Meanwhile, in another petition, Harish Rao sought to quash a case filed at Karimnagar police station on a complaint by Congress leader Mettu Sai, who accused him of making derogatory remarks against the Chief Minister.

The APP informed the Court that investigation in this case had been completed and a chargesheet was already filed before the trial court. Taking note, Justice Lakshman dismissed the petition, holding that it was not maintainable.