In a significant development, the Telangana High Court issued an order on Monday restraining the police from taking coercive measures against Raj Pakala, the brother-in-law of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president K T Rama Rao. This order comes in the wake of a controversial raid at Pakala’s farmhouse which led to allegations of drug use.
Raj Pakala was directed to respond within two days to a police notice concerning his alleged involvement in hosting a party where drugs were reportedly consumed. The court stated, “The respondents No.3 and 4 (police) are directed not to take any coercive steps against the petitioner, subject to the condition of the petitioner responding to the notice under Section 35(3) BNSS.”
The legal skirmish began after the Cyberabad Police and Excise officials conducted a raid on Pakala’s farmhouse in Janwada on the night of October 26, following tips about an unauthorized party featuring drugs and alcohol. Subsequent investigations led to the registration of a case under the Excise Act, as Pakala did not possess the required Excise license for the event.
During the raid, one of the guests, M Vijay, allegedly tested positive for cocaine, intensifying the scrutiny on the gathering. Pakala’s counsel argued that the allegations were baseless and aimed at tarnishing his client’s image due to his familial ties with a prominent political figure.
In court, the Additional Advocate General reassured that there was no immediate risk of arrest for Pakala and dismissed any claims of a political motive behind the FIR. He emphasized that the police had acted strictly within the legal framework.
