Telangana HC issues notices to BRS MLCs in Speaker abuse case
Synopsis
The Telangana High Court has issued notices to two BRS MLCs — Tata Madhu and N. Naveen Kumar Reddy — on a police plea to cancel their bail in an SC/ST Act case over alleged abusive remarks against Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar. The case stems from a dramatic 7 September confrontation at the Assembly gate that triggered multiple FIRs, MLC arrests, and the suspension of BRS legislators for the entire monsoon session.
Key Takeaways
Telangana High Court issued notices to BRS MLCs Tata Madhu and N.
Naveen Kumar Reddy on 21 September 2026 .
Police filed a petition seeking cancellation of bail granted to the MLCs by the Nampally court in an SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act case.
The case stems from alleged abusive remarks against Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar during the 7 September Assembly gate standoff.
Both MLCs were arrested on 8 September ; the Nampally court had directed police not to re-arrest them after granting bail.
BRS alleged its women MLAs were manhandled; it has complained to the National Women Commission , NHRC , and Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla .
The High Court hearing is adjourned to Wednesday .
The Telangana High Court on Monday, 21 September 2026, issued notices to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLCs Tata Madhu and N. Naveen Kumar Reddy on a police petition seeking cancellation of bail granted to them in a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The case relates to alleged abusive remarks made against Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar, who holds a constitutional post. The court adjourned further hearing on the petition to Wednesday.
Background: The September 7 Assembly Gate Incident
The controversy erupted on 7 September when police stopped BRS MLAs and MLCs at the Assembly entrance for wearing black T-shirts bearing slogans against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. During the confrontation, the two MLCs allegedly made abusive remarks targeting the Speaker. The incident triggered multiple FIRs against BRS leaders and culminated in the suspension of BRS legislators from the Assembly for the entire monsoon session.
The two MLCs were arrested on 8 September following an FIR lodged on a complaint filed by Pollepalli Venkatesham, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Assembly Speaker. Police had sought their custody, but the Nampally court rejected the plea and granted them bail on personal sureties, with a direction that they not be arrested again.
Charges and Legal Provisions
Saifabad police registered the case under Section 352 read with Section 3(5) BNS and Sections 3(1)(r), 3(2)(va), and 3(2)(vii) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The Public Prosecutor, Nageswara Rao, submitted before the High Court that the MLCs had used abusive language against a person occupying a constitutional post and had also allegedly attacked police personnel on duty.
Saifabad police subsequently moved the High Court seeking cancellation of bail and challenging the lower court's order. Separately, cases were also registered against BRS Working President K. T. Rama Rao and BRS Deputy Leader T. Harish Rao, along with several other party legislators, for allegedly obstructing women police personnel, using abusive language, and threatening them.
BRS Counter-Allegations and Complaints
The BRS, however, alleged that its women MLAs were manhandled by police personnel during the same incident, though no case was registered on their complaint. The party has lodged complaints with the National Women Commission and the National Human Rights Commission. BRS also submitted a representation to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, seeking his intervention for a fair and impartial probe into the episode.
What Happens Next
The High Court will take up the bail cancellation petition on Wednesday. The outcome will determine whether Tata Madhu and Naveen Kumar Reddy remain on bail or face re-arrest. This case is part of a broader pattern of escalating confrontations between the ruling Congress-led government and the BRS opposition inside and around the Telangana Assembly.
Point of View
Police conduct, and SC/ST Act application in a political context. The police approaching the High Court to cancel bail granted by a lower court signals an unusually aggressive prosecutorial posture, one that BRS will frame as political vendetta. Meanwhile, the BRS's counter-allegations of women MLAs being manhandled — with no FIR registered — remain unresolved and give the opposition a potent narrative. The High Court's Wednesday hearing will be a litmus test: if bail is cancelled, it sets a chilling precedent for elected legislators; if upheld, it raises questions about the strength of the police case.
NationPress
21 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Telangana High Court issue notices to BRS MLCs Tata Madhu and Naveen Kumar Reddy?
The High Court issued notices on 21 September 2026 on a police petition seeking cancellation of bail granted to the two MLCs in a case under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act over alleged abusive remarks against Assembly Speaker Gaddam Prasad Kumar. The case arose from a confrontation at the Telangana Assembly entrance on 7 September.
What happened at the Telangana Assembly gate on 7 September?
On 7 September, police stopped BRS MLAs and MLCs at the Assembly entrance for wearing black T-shirts with slogans against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. During the standoff, the two MLCs allegedly made abusive remarks against the Speaker and police personnel were reportedly attacked, leading to multiple FIRs and the suspension of BRS legislators for the monsoon session.
Under which legal provisions were the BRS MLCs booked?
The MLCs were booked under Section 352 read with Section 3(5) BNS and Sections 3(1)(r), 3(2)(va), and 3(2)(vii) of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The case was registered by Saifabad police on a complaint from the OSD to the Assembly Speaker.
Why is the BRS challenging the government's actions?
BRS has alleged that its women MLAs were manhandled by police during the same 7 September incident, but no FIR was registered on their complaint. The party has lodged complaints with the National Women Commission and the National Human Rights Commission, and has appealed to Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla for a fair probe.
What is the next step in the Telangana High Court bail cancellation case?
The Telangana High Court adjourned the hearing to Wednesday, 23 September 2026. The court's decision will determine whether the two BRS MLCs remain on bail or face re-arrest in the SC/ST Act case.
