The Special Court for ACB Cases on Friday granted State Anti-Corruption Bureau four-day custody of arrested TDP MLA Revanth Reddy in cash-for-vote case in the recent MLC elections.
Seeking five-day custody of TDP MLA Revanth Reddy, ACB public prosecutor Surender pleaded with the court that they have to find out the source of Rs 50 lakh recovered from the residence of nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson and also the information about the remaining promised amount of Rs 4.5 crore. The PP said they wanted to extract information from other MLAs, who were lured of money. He also said there was a need to secure details of call data of the accused Revanth Reddy.
The judge granted four-day custody from Saturday. However, the bail plea of the arrested MLA was posted to June 9 and directed the ACB to file its counter by June 8. When the bail plea of Revanth Reddy came for hearing this morning, the ACB sought time to file a counter. Giving time till June 8, the court deferred its decision for June 9.
Earlier, Revanth Reddy’s counsel told the court that his client was arrested after hatching a conspiracy. The TRS government has been targeting his client right from the beginning. He asked why the ACB officials waited till May 31 when they claimed that they had information on May 28 about the scam, lawyer Satish asked. Contending that secret video recording cameras were installed in the room prior to the incident, the defence counsel asked whether any permission was obtained under Telagraphic Act. There is no clarity on the four issues mentioned in custody petition by the ACB, he contended and said it was responsibility of the ACB to find out where was the fourth accused, who is at large.
The defence counsel argued there was no need of taking Revanth Reddy into custody for interrogation as ACB had information. The lawyer also brought to the notice of court about reported comment of the Chief Minister, who had said before his client’s arrest that a breaking news will come and even Home Minister reported to have stated that he knew who has behind the episode. (NSS)