Seethakka's Legal Notice To KCR Over Anganwadi Phone Scam Claims

Telangana Panchayat Raj and Rural Development Minister Danasari Anasuya Seethakka today issued a legal notice to BRS president and former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao seeking an unconditional public apology over alleged defamatory statements relating to the distribution of mobile phones to Anganwadi centres.

In the notice sent through her advocate Naguluri Krishna Kumar, the minister termed the allegations of a Rs 30 crore scam as "false, baseless, and made without verification of official records".

She alleged that the claims were circulated through the BRS' official social media handles with malafide intent to damage her reputation.

The notice also alleged that the posts had gained significant traction on social media and were amplified by multiple accounts affiliated with the BRS, causing damage to her public image and credibility.

Seethakka said that she was compelled to initiate legal action as the BRS had been indulging in a sustained false and malicious campaign over the issue.

The notice called upon KCR to delete the posts on social media platforms and issue a public apology within 48 hours of receiving the notice. It warned the former CM that failure to comply would compel her to initiate appropriate civil and criminal defamation proceedings.

Refuting the allegations by the BRS, Seethakka said that she had no role in the procurement of smartphones, and that the tender process was handled by Telangana Technology Services Limited, which invited bids and awarded the contract through established procedures.

"A Tender Evaluation Committee consisting of senior government officials evaluated the bids and finalised the contract. My client is not a member of this committee and has no role in awarding the tender," the notice by Seethakka's lawyer read.

Questioning the basis of the allegations, the legal notice said, "When the tender itself is for about Rs 44 crore, it is not understood how my client could have indulged in corruption to the tune of Rs 30 crore. Your allegation is prima facie false and absurd."

The minister recalled that she had issued similar legal notices in the past in response to repeated instances of false propaganda.

She also alleged that the BRS had intensified its campaign against her after she had categorically refuted similar allegations made by BRS MLA K T Rama Rao on the floor of the State Legislative Assembly.

Seethakka demanded that KCR take responsibility for the alleged misinformation being circulated by the party's social media wings. She added that she held no personal animosity against him.