Nagarjuna Akkineni files defamation and criminal case against Telangana minister

Veteran Telugu actor Nagarjuna Akkineni has filed a defamation and criminal case against Telangana Congress Minister Konda Surekha in Nampally court after the minister made objectionable remarks about Nagarjuna's son Naga Chaitanya's and Samantha's divorce. Chaitanya shared a copy of the complaint on X.

In his legal complaint, Nagarjuna has accused Konda Surekha of making statements with the intent to damage the Akkineni family's public reputation. The filing includes charges of criminal defamation, which could result in significant legal repercussions, along with a civil defamation suit seeking financial compensation for the harm inflicted.

pic.twitter.com/8VHcJYC7kn — chaitanya akkineni (@chay_akkineni) October 3, 2024

What is the controversy about?

Telangana's Forest and Environment Minister Konda Surekha sparked controversy after she accused BRS leader KTR of being linked to drug-related parties and alleging his involvement in Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu's divorce.

Speaking to the media at an event, she made derogatory statements against KTR, the Akkineni family, and Samantha. She alleged that many female actors in the Telugu film industry cut short their careers because of KTR's involvement.

How Samantha and Naga Chaitanya's divorce became a political saga : Explained

Surekha even alleged that KTR asked for sexual favours from the Akkineni family before demolishing the family-owned N-convention centre. She stated that this controversy led to the divorce of Naga Chaitanya and Samantha.

Akkineni family reacts

Soon after Surekha's speech went viral, Nagarjuna took to Twitter to condemn the remarks made by the minister. Terming her remarks "completely irrelevant and false", Nagarjuna urged the minister to respect people's privacy.

"I strongly condemn the comments of the honourable Minister, Mrs Konda Surekha. Don't use the lives of film stars who stay away from politics to criticise your opponents. Please respect other people's privacy," the actor said in a tweet in Telugu.

Naga Chaitanya too issued a statement and condemned Surekha's remarks.

pic.twitter.com/n1cSoiYGPN — chaitanya akkineni (@chay_akkineni) October 2, 2024

Naga Chaitanya and Samantha announced their separation in 2021, after which they divorced. The couple had married in 2017.Naga Chaitanya recently got engaged to actor Sobhita Dhulipala in August this year.