Telangana CM Revanth Reddy appears in court over 2021 COVID rules case
Synopsis
Telangana CM Revanth Reddy walked into the Nampally Public Representatives Court on Thursday for a 2021 COVID-protocol case filed when he led the state Congress unit — one of several legacy cases from the previous BRS government's tenure still winding through the courts, even as the Telangana High Court has already quashed at least one of the related MCC violation charges.
Key Takeaways
Revanth Reddy appeared before the Public Representatives Court, Nampally on 12 November 2026 .
The case relates to alleged COVID-19 guideline violations during an election campaign in Chalakurti village, Nalgonda district on 11 April 2021 .
The court recorded his statement under Section 313 of CrPC during the hearing.
On 28 February 2026 , he had appeared in the same court for seven separate cases from the previous government's tenure.
The Telangana High Court had earlier quashed a criminal case against him linked to the 2019 Huzurnagar by-election , citing lack of evidence of intentional disobedience.
Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy appeared before the Public Representatives Court, Nampally, on Thursday, 12 November 2026, in connection with a case registered against him during the previous government's tenure for allegedly violating COVID-19 guidelines. The court recorded his statement under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) as part of the ongoing hearing.
The 2021 COVID Violation Case
The case stems from an incident on 11 April 2021, when Revanth Reddy — then serving as president of the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) — participated in an election campaign in Chalakurti village of Peddapur mandal in Nalgonda district. He was booked for allegedly not wearing a mask and failing to adhere to other COVID-19 protocols during the campaign for the Nagarjuna Sagar Assembly by-election. Similar cases were reportedly registered against him at multiple locations across the state for violations of COVID-19 rules and the Model Code of Conduct (MCC).
Earlier Court Appearances and Background
This is not the first time the Chief Minister has appeared before the court in legacy cases. On 28 February 2026, Revanth Reddy had appeared before the same Public Representatives Court in connection with seven separate cases registered during the previous government's tenure. Those cases related to alleged violations during the 2019 Huzurnagar by-election and a public meeting held in 2021 during the pandemic.
Among the 2019 cases, allegations centred on a rally organised with around 40 vehicles and DJ sound systems in support of a candidate, in which both Revanth Reddy and then Member of Parliament N. Uttam Kumar Reddy were named. Revanth Reddy was listed as accused no. 2 and Uttam Kumar Reddy as accused no. 1 under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for allegedly holding a campaign meeting in Ponugodu mandal on 19 October 2019 without prior permission from election officials.
Telangana High Court's Earlier Ruling
Notably, the Telangana High Court had previously quashed one of these criminal cases — the one registered at Garidepally police station — in connection with the 2019 Huzurnagar by-election MCC violations. The High Court observed that the MCC-related offences were not legally maintainable and that the chargesheet filed before the Principal Special Judicial First Class Magistrate for Excise Cases in Hyderabad lacked evidence of intentional disobedience. The ruling came on a plea moved by Revanth Reddy seeking to quash those proceedings.
What Happens Next
The remaining cases, including Thursday's COVID-19 violation matter, continue to be heard before the Public Representatives Court. The legal proceedings underscore the pattern of chief ministers and senior politicians in Telangana facing cases filed by rival administrations — a dynamic that tends to intensify after changes in government. The outcome of these hearings could have political as well as legal implications for the Congress-led state administration.
Point of View
Then watch them drag through the system long after power changes hands. The Telangana High Court has already signalled that at least one of these cases lacked legal merit, raising a question about how many of the remaining matters will withstand judicial scrutiny. What mainstream coverage tends to miss is the broader chilling effect such prosecutions can have on electoral participation — when COVID-protocol cases filed against opposition leaders resurface years later in court, it sets a precedent that incumbents on both sides have incentive to exploit. The more consequential story here is institutional: whether Telangana's courts will move quickly enough to resolve these accumulated political-era cases, or allow them to linger as instruments of prolonged attrition.
NationPress
12 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Telangana CM Revanth Reddy appear in court on 12 November 2026?
Revanth Reddy appeared before the Public Representatives Court, Nampally, in connection with a case registered against him in 2021 for allegedly violating COVID-19 guidelines during the Nagarjuna Sagar Assembly by-election campaign. The court recorded his statement under Section 313 of the CrPC as part of the ongoing hearing.
What was the COVID-19 case against Revanth Reddy about?
The case was registered after Revanth Reddy — then TPCC president — allegedly participated in an election rally in Chalakurti village, Nalgonda district on 11 April 2021 without wearing a mask or following other COVID-19 protocols. Similar cases were reportedly filed against him at other locations in Telangana for violations of COVID rules and the Model Code of Conduct.
Has the Telangana High Court quashed any cases against Revanth Reddy?
Yes. The Telangana High Court quashed a criminal case registered at Garidepally police station related to alleged MCC violations during the 2019 Huzurnagar by-election. The court found the MCC-related offences not legally maintainable and noted the chargesheet lacked evidence of intentional disobedience.
What other court cases is Revanth Reddy facing from the previous government's tenure?
On 28 February 2026, he appeared before the same Nampally court for seven cases related to the 2019 Huzurnagar by-election and a 2021 public meeting. One case involved a campaign rally with around 40 vehicles and DJ systems; both Revanth Reddy and former MP N. Uttam Kumar Reddy were booked under Section 188 IPC for holding a meeting without electoral permission.
Who else was named in the 2019 Huzurnagar by-election case with Revanth Reddy?
Former Member of Parliament N. Uttam Kumar Reddy was named as accused no. 1, while Revanth Reddy was accused no. 2 in the case registered at Garidepally police station. Both were booked under Section 188 IPC for allegedly holding a campaign meeting in Ponugodu mandal on 19 October 2019 without permission from election officials.
