The Telangana Chief Minister's office sent  a legal notice to Outlook magazine for carrying a derogatory story on an IAS officer and the additional secretary of Chief Minister of Telangana KCR, Smita Sabharwal.

In another development, Smita Sabharwal's lawyer Rachna Reddy also sent a legal notice to Outlook's editor-in-chief Krishna Prasad and Hyderabad based assistant editor Madhavi Tata. It is mentioned in the legal notice that Sabharwal was "utterly flabbergasted, shell shocked, angry and extremely disturbed by the article."

"Sabharwal's hard work, dedication and her excellence at her chosen profession are washed away by the mere fact of her being an attractive, young and successful woman who has also accomplished quite a lot professionally, owing to her dedication and perseverance," it is mentioned in the five page legal notice.

The IAS office threatened to file a criminal case if the Outlook failed to respond to the legal notice in 15 days. Smita Sabharwal is the first female IAS officer to be deputed to the Chief Minister's Office. Various media personnel took to Twitter and criticized the magazine. "Shame on outlook to write such a sexist piece. This lady officer is one of the most upright, capable officers," Sunitha Krishnan posted on her Twitter.

TS Sudhir wrote "Shocked to read an extremely sexist & offensive piece abt a lady IAS officer in the latest edition of @Outlookindia. Not expected. Bad taste."

"Smita Sabarwal is an IAS officer, the first woman Additional Secretary CM Telangana  to break male bastion, not as Outlook says "arm candy," Indira Jaisingh said.