NHRC Directs Telangana DGP to Take Action Against Those Who Made Unsubstantiated Black Magic Allegations Against Harish Rao
In Short
The complaint was filed before the NHRC by Telangana High Court advocate and social activist Karupothula Revanth, with the authorisation of Harish Rao.
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NHRC Directs Telangana DGP to Take Action Against Those Who Made Unsubstantiated Black Magic Allegations Against Harish Rao
Hyderabad: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of a complaint regarding the failure to register an FIR over public allegations of “black magic” and “occult rituals” against Siddipet MLA and former Minister T. Harish Rao.
The complaint was filed before the NHRC by Telangana High Court advocate and social activist Karupothula Revanth, with the authorisation of Harish Rao. The Commission has directed the Director General of Police (DGP), Telangana, to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) in English within four weeks. The direction was issued by the Commission on September 9, 2026.
Advocate Karupothula Revanth filed the complaint on August 22, 2026, under Section 12(a) of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
According to the complaint, since July 31, 2026, persons holding high public offices, including the Chief Minister and a Government Whip, have repeatedly made public allegations that Harish Rao had performed tantric or occult rituals at temples to stop the rains and cause drought.
The complaint states that no temple records, priest statements, receipts or other evidence supporting these allegations have so far been made public.
It further states that complaints were submitted at the Osmania University and Vanasthalipuram Police Stations on August 4, 2026, followed by a representation at the DGP’s office on August 17, 2026. However, according to the complaint, no FIR was registered and no reasons were communicated for the failure to register the case.
The complainant also referred to the Supreme Court judgment in Lalita Kumari v. Government of Uttar Pradesh, (2014) 2 SCC 1, regarding the registration of FIRs in cognisable offences.
The complaint expressed concern that public statements by persons holding high constitutional and political offices linking rainfall or drought to occult practices could promote superstition among the public. It also warned that such claims could encourage accusations of witchcraft in rural areas and potentially lead to attacks against women, widows, elderly persons and members of SC/ST communities.
Speaking on the matter, Advocate Karupothula Revanth said:
“If an ordinary citizen makes such allegations, a case would be registered immediately. But when people in positions of power make such statements, no action is taken. That is the reason this complaint was filed.”
The NHRC’s direction to the Telangana DGP now requires the police authorities to report the action taken on the complaint within four weeks.
