In a concerted action in response to the tapes related to the cash for votes episode allegedly involving Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, Ministers, Telugu Desam leaders and citizens across the State have filed cases against Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, Telangana Home Minister N. Narsimha Reddy, officials of the Anti-Corruption Bureau and others.
Irrigation Minister Devineni Umamaheswara Rao on Monday lodged a complaint at Bhavanipuram police station against alleged phone tapping. The police based on his complaint filed a case under the provisions of the Indian Telegraph Act (Section 26B) related to phone tapping. Cases were also registered under provisions of the Information Technology Act for allegedly producing forged video footage.
Other cases were filed under Section 120B (criminal conspiracy), Section 166 (misuse of power by public servant), Section 153A (instigating tensions among people), Section 167 (public servant framing incorrect document with the intent of harming reputation), Section 464 (creation of false documents or electronic records), Section 469 (public servants producing false evidence to damage reputation), Section 470 (production of forged evidence) and other sections.
Complaints were made by TDP leaders in Visakhapatnam too against alleged doctored tapes aired and phone tapping. The police officials from Visakhapatnam III Town Police Station, East Godavari, Krishna, Guntur, Chittoor and Kadapa districts also filed cases against K. Chandrasekhar Rao. Prominent among those who filed complaints with the police included TDP’s official spokesman Ganni Krishna.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu who formally inaugurated his camp office in Vijayawada held discussions with senior officials on the course of action to be taken on the issue. Information and Public Relations Minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy told reporters later that the State Government would lodge a complaint with the Central Government against the Telangana Government’s action to damage reputation of Mr. Naidu.
“He (Mr. Naidu) has been a Chief Minister for three terms and was an Opposition leader for 10 long years. He is a politician with Z-plus category security. If his telephone can be tapped, what will be the fate of the common man?,” he wondered.
