Rajya Sabha MP K.V.P. Ramachandra Rao got relief from the A.P. High Court which on Monday asked police to refrain from proceeding further on the Interpol red corner notice issued against him.
The court passed this order on a writ petition filed by Mr. Rao, who contended that he does not know what the case is all about. Justice Nooty Ramamohana Rao expressed surprise that the jurisdiction of the court is sought to be invoked based on press reports and sought to know as to why the court should interfere at this stage taking cognizance of news reports.
The petitioner pleaded with the court to stay all the proceedings as the red corner notice was in violation of the extradition treaty between the US and India. The provisions of Extradition Act do not cover the present case, counsel for the MP said, adding the offences mentioned in the treaty and Act are different from the ones mentioned in this case. The petitioner also mentioned that newspapers have reported about the notice and his imminent arrest.
When asked for clarification, the government pleader said the State police are in receipt of the red corner notice but the provisional arrest warrant which is supposed to be annexed has not been attached. The CID asked the CBI to send the related papers to take further steps. The counsel for the petitioner said the Supreme Court had declared that the red corner notice and the proposed action must be within the parameters of the Constitution and the Criminal Procedure Code.
The judge felt that the issue needs a closer and comprehensive look especially in the light of judgment of Supreme Court. The court impleaded the Union of India and CBI as respondents and ordered notices and asked all the respondents to file counter affidavits. The case will be listed after summer vacation.
