Daijiworld Media Network - Alappuzha

Alappuzha, Apr 5: Senior Congress leader K C Venugopal has filed a defamation complaint against a Haryana-based man, alleging a conspiracy to tarnish his image ahead of the Kerala Assembly elections.

The complaint was lodged against Gaurav Kumar before a Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Alappuzha, according to a party statement.

Venugopal, who is also the MP from Alappuzha and AICC general secretary, alleged that baseless and politically motivated accusations were made with the intent of influencing the upcoming polls. He said the claims, linked to the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections, surfaced only in 2026, raising questions over their timing.

The Congress leader claimed the allegations were widely circulated through press conferences, media platforms and social media to damage his reputation built over years of public service.

He further said a complaint had already been submitted to the state police chief on February 23 regarding the issue, and termed the accusations a “well-planned conspiracy” aimed at preventing the UDF from coming to power in the April 9 elections.

The case has been filed under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita after the accused allegedly failed to respond to a legal notice or withdraw the claims.

The development comes amid a separate probe by Delhi Police into a “ticket-for-money” allegation involving persons linked to the Congress, based on a complaint by a Haryana-based individual. Police said the investigation is ongoing.