Harish Rao files a defamation suit against Mahesh Goud and Addanki Dayakar

BRS Legislature Vice President T. Harish Rao filed a defamation case against TPCC President Mahesh Kumar Goud and Government Whip Addanki Dayakar for allegedly making defamatory and baseless remarks against him by misrepresenting his temple visit.

Mr. Rao’s lawyers filed a criminal complaint for defamation in the First Class Special Judicial Court for Elected Representatives in Nampally. The complaint seeks action against the two Congress leaders under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.

Video evidence and newspaper clippings related to the alleged depositions were also submitted via pen, according to the court complaint.

Last month, Harish Rao and his family visited the Kollur Mookambika devi temple in Karnataka. The complaint states that he visited the temple as a Hindu and a devotee as part of a spiritual journey.

However, Harish Rao alleged that Mahesh Kumar Goud and Addanki Dayakar deliberately misrepresented the visit and said that he was performing black magic rituals to wish for no rain in Telangana. These remarks were reportedly made at Gandhi Bhavan and were repeated through the media and social media.

Published – 17 Sep 2026 23:41 IST