While the top brass of Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is mulling over examining the ‘boss’ of TDP MLA Revanth Reddy — arrested in note-for-vote case —, some Telangana lawyers decided to move the court to include the name of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu as accused in the case.
A video footage apparently recorded by a hidden camera showed Mr. Reddy, the first accused in the case, stating that he was making the offer at the behest of his boss. “First we have to identify who the boss is and examine him or her later,” an ACB officer associated with the investigation of the case, but declining to be identified, observed.
In earlier cases of similar nature, persons whose names were referred to by the accused were examined by the investigators. As there is the involvement of top politicians and public representatives, the ACB officials are consulting legal experts on this.
“Mere video footage, leaked by unidentified persons, is not sufficient evidence to examine a person,” said another ACB officer, also unwilling to be quoted.
“Mr. Reddy has to confess who the ‘boss’ was and whether the boss and Mr. Chandrababu Naidu, whose name he took eventually, were the same,” he observed.
Though the investigators are convinced that persons referred to by the accused in bribery cases can be examined, they admit privately that “the decision had to be taken by the top bosses”.
Meanwhile, a delegation led by T. Sriranga Rao of Telangana Advocates Joint Action Committee presented a petition in the ACB office on Tuesday seeking to make Mr. Naidu as the accused in the case as he was referred to by Mr. Revanth Reddy.
“If the ACB fails to act on our petition, we will file a public interest litigation to include Mr. Naidu’s name in the case. There are many cases in which names referred to by the accused were added in criminal cases,” Mr. Rao said.
Bail petition
The Special Court for ACB and SPE on Monday asked the ACB public prosecutor to file counter over the bail petition moved by the counsel for the arrested MLA on Friday.
The special court will hear arguments over the bail petition the same day.
Meanwhile, Mr. Reddy and the two accused were shifted from Chanchalguda prison to Charlapally central jail. TDP leaders Payyavula Keshav and D Narender met Mr. Reddy in the jail.
Telangana lawyers decide to move the court to include AP Chief Minister’s name as accused in note-for-vote case
