Bandi Sanjay Challenges KTR’s Legal Notice Over 'Drugs, Phone Tapping' Remarks, Demands Public Apology

The reply drafted by Sanjay’s legal counsel, Advocate Naveen Undavalli, described the legal notice as an attempt to suppress Sanjay’s freedom of expression and discredit his political efforts.

The legal tussle began after KTR sent a notice demanding an unconditional apology from Bandi Sanjay for allegations he made during an October 19 press conference.

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Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar has responded to a legal notice from BRS Working President KT Rama Rao (KTR), asserting that he never mentioned KTR’s name during the controversial press conference held earlier this month. Sanjay has demanded a public apology from KTR and a withdrawal of the legal notice within seven days.

The response, drafted by Sanjay’s legal counsel, Advocate Naveen Undavalli, firmly denies the accusations of defamation. The counsel emphasised that Bandi Sanjay's statements were not directed at KTR personally and argued that the press conference addressed broader concerns related to issues faced by students in Telangana. The reply described the legal notice as an attempt to suppress Sanjay’s freedom of expression and discredit his political efforts.

"In reply to Paras 11, 12, & 13, my Client reiterates that the statements were neither directed to your Client nor was your Client's name taken in any context. My Client reiterates that the statements were made based on facts, and based on public knowledge with no personal or political motivation behind them. My Client also states that this notice is an attempt to suppress my Client's freedom of expression and prevent him from addressing the public. My Client strictly maintains that he acted well within his rights and that he will not be intimidated by any baseless allegations," the response said. 

The legal tussle began after KTR sent a notice demanding an unconditional apology from Bandi Sanjay for allegations he made during an October 19 press conference. In that press meet, Sanjay accused KTR of being involved in drug use and alleged that both KTR and his father, former CM K. Chandrasekhar Rao, engaged in illegal phone tapping while in power, as reported by Times of India. KTR contended that these allegations were intended to tarnish his reputation and warned that failure to apologise would result in a defamation suit.

In response, Bandi Sanjay has refused to comply with the demand for an apology, stating that he would respond through legal channels if KTR pursued the matter further.