Telangana legislative assembly speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar on Friday issued legal notices to former Vikarabad MLA and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Vikarabad district president Methuku Anand, accusing him of making baseless and defamatory allegations that have caused serious damage to his personal reputation.
In the legal notice sent through his advocate, the speaker expressed strong objection to the statements made by Anand during press conferences held on January 14 and January 19 this year.
Prasad Kumar alleged that Anand deliberately levelled false, fabricated, and malicious corruption charges, amounting to character assassination and mental harassment.
The notice demands that Anand pay Rs 10 crore as compensation for mental agony and reputational damage.
It also requires him to withdraw his statements and issue a public apology through the media within seven days, failing which the speaker warned of initiating appropriate legal proceedings through the courts.
Referring to the January 14 press meet, the speaker stated that Anand used derogatory language, including referring to him as “Bullet Raju,” which he said was intended to insult him personally and hurt him emotionally.
The notice further alleges that Anand accused him of collecting bribes from government officials, employees, and contractors.
In the January 19 press conference, Anand reportedly made more serious allegations, claiming that the speaker had accepted bribes amounting to hundreds of crores in matters related to the disqualification of MLAs.
Prasad Kumar termed these remarks as a direct insult to the constitutional office of the speaker and an attempt to undermine the dignity of the legislative system.
The notice also objects to what it describes as “concocted stories” alleging that the speaker manipulated the Vikarabad Municipality for personal benefit.
Emphasising that he rose from a humble background to occupy the highest position in the legislative system, Gaddam Prasad Kumar said he has consistently worked for public welfare and the development of the Vikarabad constituency.