Telangana HC Directs Orient Cement Union Elections in 15 Days

There were allegations that due to political pressure, the deputy commissioner had delayed the elections to recognise the majority union to represent workers. The workers union complained that the labour department had submitted to the court that in April that elections would be conducted soon but it had not been done.

Court Directs Defamation Case Against Konda Surekha Over KTR Allegations

Vujjini Vamshidhar I DC

Hyderabad: The special judicial magistrate court here on Saturday directed the Hyderabad police to register a criminal defamation case against forest minister Konda Surekha in connection with a petition filed by BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao.

Rama Rao had filed a criminal defamation case against Surekha, seeking criminal action as per the law following certain remarks she had made against him. She had held Rama Rao responsible for the divorce of Tollywood couple Naga Chaitanya and Samantha. Surekha also accused him of involvement in the tapping of phones of film actresses to find out their weaknesses and later on blackmailing them for personal benefit. Surekha had also alleged that Rama Rao was addicted to drugs and used to host rave parties.

In his petition, Rama Rao stated that Surekha had made false and highly defamatory remarks against him with malafide and oblique motives. He termed her comments as part of a calculated attempt to damage his public image.

This case was heard by the trial court and Rama Rao and Surekha separately submitted their contentions. On Saturday, the court directed the police to register a case.

The court found sufficient grounds to proceed under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which addresses criminal defamation, in conjunction with procedural provisions under Sections 222 and 223