Nara Lokesh is taking a strong stance against Sakshi Media, a media house perceived to be aligned with the YCP, by filing a criminal defamation case in court today. Lokesh is set to arrive at the 12th Additional Court in Vizag for the hearing of a defamation suit he initiated against Sakshi in 2019.

The conflict stems from a newspaper report published by Sakshi Media, which claimed that Lokesh, the then-ex-minister, spent ₹25 lakh on snacks at Vizag Airport. Outraged by the allegation, Lokesh filed a defamation case seeking ₹75 crore in damages, asserting that the report was intentionally false and aimed at tarnishing his public image.

Today’s court hearing will require Sakshi Media to provide a legal justification for their controversial report. Failure to do so could result in significant financial repercussions, as the media house could be liable to pay upwards of ₹75 crore. This legal battle has drawn considerable attention, given the implications for both Lokesh's reputation and Sakshi Media's credibility.

As the hearing unfolds, it will be crucial to see how the court addresses the claims and whether this case will set a precedent for media accountability in the region.