Nagarjuna Withdraws Defamation Case Against Telangana Minister Konda Surekha After Reaching Settlement

A high-profile criminal defamation case filed by veteran Telugu actor Akkineni Nagarjuna against Telangana’s Endowments and Forest Minister Konda Surekha has officially been dismissed following its withdrawal. The development marks the end of a year-long legal and social controversy that had drawn significant attention in both political and entertainment circles.

The court’s decision came shortly after a dramatic midnight apology issued publicly by Minister Surekha, accompanied by behind-the-scenes mediation led by senior Congress leaders and several prominent Bollywood producers.

On Thursday, the court formally dismissed the case after Nagarjuna’s legal counsel submitted a statement confirming that the private complaint was being withdrawn under Section 280 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The provision allows a complainant in a summons case to retract the complaint if the magistrate deems there are sufficient grounds to do so, thereby leading to the acquittal of the accused. Accepting the withdrawal petition, the court closed the matter, bringing the high-profile dispute to an end.

The turning point came when Minister Surekha issued a formal public apology on X late on November 12, only hours before the scheduled court hearing.

Konda Surekha wrote on X, "I would wish to clarify that the statement I had made in relation to @iamnagarjuna Garu was not intended to hurt Nagarjuna Garu or his family members. I had no intention of hurting or defaming Akkineni Nagarjuna Garu or his family members. I regret any unintended impression given in my statements in relation to them and withdraw the same."

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The controversy began in October 2024 when Minister Konda Surekha, while criticising BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao, made remarks about the Akkineni family, referencing Naga Chaitanya and Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s 2021 divorce. Nagarjuna condemned the comments as defamatory and damaging to his family’s reputation, filing a Rs 100 crore criminal defamation case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Both he and Naga Chaitanya later appeared in court to record their statements.