TSR serves legal notice on Daggubati

Claims R5 crore damages for defamation

Visakhapatnam: The spat between Rajya Sabha member T Subbarami Reddy and Dr Daggubati Venkateshwara Rao, seems to be 'billowing' into a major controversy, with the former taking it to the court of law, claiming Rs 5 crore as damages, under Section 499 of the Indian Penal Code. "As a law-abiding citizen of this country, I have the 'right to reputation' under Article 21 of the Constitution.

This is not a political vendetta, but merely a case, where an individual's reputation has been tarnished," Dr Reddy told the media in an informal chat. The legal notice sent to Dr Daggubati Venkateshwara Rao, MLA and Union Minister Purandeswari's husband says that Section 499 of the IPC is attracted, as it is a clear case of intention to damage the reputation of an individual.

The punishment for this offence is provided under Section 500, where the notice reads, "Whoever defames another shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with a fine or both". The notice goes on to read, "My client, in view of his status and reputation is entitled for a huge quantum of damages, but had limited it to Rs 5 crore." This defamation suit is initiated in sequence to the outbursts Dr Venkateshwara Rao made at the Congress Party Legislative Party office in Hyderabad on May 29.

However, the notice goes on to read that Reddy will not proceed with the defamation case, if Daggubati tenders an unconditional apology within 10 days of the receipt of this notice.