ED’s fresh notices to Revanth Reddy, 2 others in cash-for-vote case
U Sudhakar Reddy | TNN | Feb 2, 2019, 07:26 IST
File photo of A Revanth Reddy. HYDERABAD: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has put the focus back on AP chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s former aides in the 2015 cash-for-vote case. The ED on Friday issued notices to Telangana Congress working president (then in TDP) A Revanth Reddy, his aide R Uday Simha and former MLA Vem Narender Reddy, after registering a fresh case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002. The ED has asked the trio to appear before it.
Narender Reddy told TOI that he did receive the notice. “I will appear before the ED and give my statement,” he said. Sources in Revanth’s office also confirmed receiving the ED notice. Narender has been asked to appear on Feb 5, Uday on Feb 18 and Revanth on Feb 19, according to sources.
The ED began the probe in the 2015 case recently, which the ACB and income tax (I-T) department have been investigating.
ACB chargesheet mentions Naidu’s name 22 times
The ED had not taken up the case immediately on legal grounds, pointing out that a section of Prevention of Corruption Act invoked against the accused was not part of the scheduled offence under the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act). Recently, there was a change of guard in the ED in Hyderabad — IPS officer Abhishek Goyal was posted as joint director and Uma Shankar Goud shifted to Kochi.
The main charge against the trio is that they offered ?5 crore and had paid ?50 lakh to Anglo-Indian MLA Elvis Stephenson to vote for TDP MLC candidate Narender Reddy. Revanth, who was a Telangana TDP leader then, was caught on video offering the bribe and TDP president Chandrababu Naidu is alleged to have spoken to Stephenson over the phone, urging him to vote for Narender.
The I-T wing had searched Revanth’s house in October 2018 and houses of two other accused — Harry Sebastian, bishop of an independent church, and Uday — in Sept 2018.
The ACB had registered an FIR against four, including Revanth, and filed a charge sheet on July 27, 2015. On August 29, 2016, the ACB court took cognisance of offences under Section 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC Section 120-B against the accused. The ACB in its 316-page chargesheet mentioned the Naidu’s name 22 times and also presented audio tapes that allegedly have Naidu’s voice as evidence in the court.
Narender Reddy told TOI that he did receive the notice. “I will appear before the ED and give my statement,” he said. Sources in Revanth’s office also confirmed receiving the ED notice. Narender has been asked to appear on Feb 5, Uday on Feb 18 and Revanth on Feb 19, according to sources.
The ED began the probe in the 2015 case recently, which the ACB and income tax (I-T) department have been investigating.
ACB chargesheet mentions Naidu’s name 22 times
The ED had not taken up the case immediately on legal grounds, pointing out that a section of Prevention of Corruption Act invoked against the accused was not part of the scheduled offence under the PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act). Recently, there was a change of guard in the ED in Hyderabad — IPS officer Abhishek Goyal was posted as joint director and Uma Shankar Goud shifted to Kochi.
The main charge against the trio is that they offered ?5 crore and had paid ?50 lakh to Anglo-Indian MLA Elvis Stephenson to vote for TDP MLC candidate Narender Reddy. Revanth, who was a Telangana TDP leader then, was caught on video offering the bribe and TDP president Chandrababu Naidu is alleged to have spoken to Stephenson over the phone, urging him to vote for Narender.
The I-T wing had searched Revanth’s house in October 2018 and houses of two other accused — Harry Sebastian, bishop of an independent church, and Uday — in Sept 2018.
The ACB had registered an FIR against four, including Revanth, and filed a charge sheet on July 27, 2015. On August 29, 2016, the ACB court took cognisance of offences under Section 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act and IPC Section 120-B against the accused. The ACB in its 316-page chargesheet mentioned the Naidu’s name 22 times and also presented audio tapes that allegedly have Naidu’s voice as evidence in the court.
more from times of india Cities
LATEST VIDEOS
City
Prayagraj: Commotion prevailed after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's speech at VHP's 'Dharm Sansad'01:08- Delhi: Class VIII dropout arrested for allegedly raping several minors01:33
- At click of mouse, now apply for weapon licence in Delhi01:28
- Salary ‘scam’: Rs 1.3 crore paid to fictitious doctors at Delhi hospital01:21
All Comments ()+^ Back to Top
Refrain from posting comments that are obscene, defamatory or inflammatory, and do not indulge in personal attacks, name calling or inciting hatred against any community. Help us delete comments that do not follow these guidelines by marking them offensive. Let's work together to keep the conversation civil.
HIDE