Telangana High Court refuses to quash criminal case against Rana Daggubati

The Telangana High Court has refused to quash criminal proceedings against actors Rana Daggubati and D Venkatesh, producer D Suresh Babu, and others regarding a property dispute in Hyderabad.

The case stems from a private complaint filed by businessman K Nandukumar involving a property in Film Nagar associated with the Deccan Kitchen restaurant. Nandukumar alleged that the accused, in conspiracy with Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) officials, facilitated the demolition of structures on his leased premises, forcibly dispossessed his family, removed movable articles, and engaged in criminal intimidation.

While the defense argued the matter was fundamentally a civil dispute over leasehold rights, Justice N Tukaramji ruled that the existence of a parallel civil dispute does not extinguish criminal liability if the complaint discloses cognizable offences. The court found that the sworn statements and supporting materials disclosed a prima facie case of criminal trespass, theft, and conspiracy, warranting further inquiry in a lower court.