TELANGANA: Non-Bailable Warrant Issued Against Minister Konda Surekha
Tensions in Telangana politics reached a new peak today as a Hyderabad court slapped a non-bailable warrant on state minister Konda Surekha.
The move stems from her repeated no-shows in a high-profile defamation suit brought by opposition leader K.T. Rama Rao.
With the next court date set for early next year, observers wonder if this legal snag will ripple into broader electoral battles.
Roots of the Rivalry
The clash traces back to October 2024, when Surekha, then a vocal critic, leveled serious allegations against Rama Rao during a heated TV debate.
She claimed he orchestrated phone taps targeting celebrities, including actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s personal life, painting him as a meddlesome figure in divorce proceedings.
Rama Rao, stung by the barbs, fired back with a criminal defamation complaint, demanding a public apology that never came.
Court Steps Up Pressure
Fast-forward to August 2025: the Nampally Special Judicial Magistrate took cognizance after reviewing evidence, ordering police to register a formal case.
Surekha’s camp dismissed it as a political vendetta, but the bench pressed on, summoning her multiple times.
Today’s warrant followed her latest absence, with the judge voicing frustration over the pattern of evasion.
Hearing Postponed
The court has now pushed proceedings to February 5, 2026, giving Surekha time to comply or face arrest.
Under Indian law, non-bailable warrants mean no automatic release on bail; authorities must produce her in person.
This escalation could force a rethink in how the ruling Congress handles opposition fire.
Political Fallout Unfolds
- For Congress: Surekha’s role as Endowments Minister makes this a headache for Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, already juggling alliance strains.
- BRS Boost: Rama Rao’s Bharat Rashtra Samithi sees vindication, using the moment to rally supporters against perceived government overreach.
- Public Echoes: Social media buzzes with divided takes, from cries of witch-hunt to demands for accountability in public discourse.
Looking Beyond the Bench
Legal experts note such cases often drag on, testing patience on all sides.
Surekha might seek quashing in higher courts, but for now, the warrant symbolizes frayed civility in Telangana’s corridors of power.
As February looms, will cooler heads prevail, or does this signal deeper rifts ahead? One thing’s clear: words in politics carry weight, sometimes heavier than intended.