Sat Nov 23 15:24:02 UTC 2024: ## Hyderabad Businessman Sues KTR for Defamation
**Hyderabad, November 23, 2024** – A Hyderabad-based businessman, Soodini Srujan, has filed a criminal defamation complaint against K.T. Rama Rao (KTR), the working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), alleging that KTR made false and defamatory statements that damaged his reputation.
The complaint, filed under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, stems from KTR’s accusations that Srujan used political connections to secure public contracts worth over ₹1,100 crore. These allegations were publicized through press conferences, media appearances, and social media, including a Delhi press event on November 11, 2024.
Srujan vehemently denies the allegations, stating they are baseless and politically motivated. He points out that the contracts were awarded to a joint venture (JV) – where his company, Shodha Constructions, holds only a 29% stake – through a transparent online bidding process under the AMRUT 2.0 scheme. He insists that KTR deliberately misrepresented the facts, despite the publicly available tendering details.
The complaint highlights the significant damage to Srujan’s personal and professional life, including strained relationships and negative business impacts. A legal notice demanding a retraction and apology, sent to KTR on September 26, 2024, reportedly went unanswered. The complaint argues that KTR, Telangana’s former Minister for IT, Municipal Administration, and Urban Development, acted in bad faith, knowing the true circumstances of the tender process. The case is now before the Court of the Special Judicial First-Class Magistrate for Excise Cases in Hyderabad.
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