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Cash-for-Vote Scam: HC Reserves Judgment on Revanth’s Bail Plea

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[dropcap]H[/dropcap]igh Court of Hyderabad has reserved its judgment on bail plea of the main accused in the cash-for-vote scam, Revanth Reddy to June 30. While Revanth’s advocates said that main investigation into the case is over and that he can be granted bail as he’s a public representative.

The advocate general of Telangana state, who is arguing on behalf of ACB, said that bail shouldn’t be granted to Revant Reddy. The lawyers have also said that source of the amount involved in the cash-for-vote is yet to be ascertained. In case, bail is granted to Revanth Reddy, he can tamper with the evidences and can influence the witnesses in the case, argued ACB. It may be recalled that Revanth Reddy was arrested 25 days ago by ACB after they allegedly caught him redhanded while striking a criminal deal with a nominated MLA to Telangana assembly–Elvis Stephenson.

(Phani B) 

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Can’t Make Sealed Cover Report Public

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ACB court, which is trying the infamous cash-for-vote scam, has made it clear that it can’t reveal the contents in the report that was submitted by FSL in connection with this case. The court has further said that the report, which was submitted in sealed cover, can’t be made public. The court told this to ACB (Anti Corruption Bureau), which is probing the scam. However, ACB officials can move a memo in the court to get the duplicate copy of the preliminary report of FSL, said the court. It further stated that it will decide whether or not to give the duplicate copy only after a careful examination of memo.

It may be recalled that ACB earlier directed FSL in Hyderabad to look into the audio tapes that are alleged to be of TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu. The tape contained alleged conversation between Babu and nominated MLA to Telangana assembly, Elvis Stephenson. While FSL is yet to submit its final report in the case, it however gave a preliminary report. The content of this report is not yet known. Nonetheless, it has been rival on the Internet that FSL reportedly ascertained that the voice in the audio tape was not fabricated.

It is known that cash for vote scam came to light recently when ACB conducted a sting operation and apprehended TDP MLA Revant Reddy from Telangana state for allegedly promising Stephenson a sum of five crore rupees, in case he votes for TDP candidate in MLC elections. The episode evoked public cry and Election Commission swung into action seeking a copy of FSL report from the ACB court.

More to follow.

(Phani B)

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

EC to Crack Whip Against TDP?

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[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n a major jolt to Telugu Desam Party, the Election Commission of India shifted its focus to the ongoing infamous cash-for-vote scam. EC on Thursday filed a memo in the ACB Court in Hyderabad seeking duplicate copy of the report submitted by FSL.

It may be noted that FSL on Wednesday submitted a preliminary report on the audio that’s alleged to be of Chandrababu Naidu. If ascertained that the voice is that of Chandrababu Naidu, TDP supremo might have to face legal consequences. It has to be mentioned here that cash-for-vote scam came to light when ACB sleuths apprehended TDP MLA Revant Reddy. The same night, media released the footage of the sting operation that showed Revant Reddy promising five crore rupees to nominated MLA to Telangana assembly, Stephenson, in case he votes for TDP candidate in MLC elections.

Days after that sting operation went viral, vernacular media aired the audio tapes that allegedly contained conversation between Chandrababu and Stephenson. While TDP said that the audio was fabricated and also said that the phones were tapped, Telangana Government stressed that telephone lines were not fabricated.  Now that Election Commission has also plunged into this activity, it might take an action against Chandrababu Naidu only if it’s proved that the voice in the audio is that of Chandrababu. The experts said that the action could be banning the political party or its supremo from contesting elections and exercising his vote.

Notably, Election Commission earlier took such strong decisions and Shiv Sena’s Bal Thackeray can be cited as an example as he was banned from exercising his vote for a period of six years for proving guilty in a communal violence case. How and when Election Commission is going to crack its whip against TDP has now become the talk of the town.

(Phani B)

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Cash-for-Vote: FSL Submits Preliminary Report

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) which is looking into the authenticity of the alleged telephone tapes of TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu, has submitted its preliminary report to ACB court in Hyderabad.

The FSL reportedly mentioned that there the audio was not a fabricated one. In order to ascertain that the voice in the audio is that of Chandrababu Naidu, FSL needs to record the voice of Babu. So, FSL is likely to seek court to give permission for recording Babu’s voice.

Meanwhile, Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) which is probing cash-for-vote scam, has requested the court to give a copy of FSL findings. it may be recalled that vernacular media in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana recently aired the conversation between Chandrababu Naidu and nominated MLA to Telangana assembly, Stephenson. AP CID police even served notices to T News over the same episode.

On the other hand, High Court of Judicature of Hyderabad has deferred the hearing of the bail plea of TDP MLA Revant Reddy (accused number one), in cash for vote scam, to Friday. Notably, ACB filed a counter petition today praying court that bail shouldn’t be granted to Revant Reddy.

(Phani B)

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

T News: ACB Notices to Naidu in A Day or Two

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T News, a news channel owned by family members of Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, says ACB is gearing up to slap notices on Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and a couple of Rajya Sabha members  in cash-for-vote case. According to the news channel, which has access to key information in government and ACB, notices would be issued once the investigating agency receives the report about the veracity of audio tapes which contained purported telephonic conversation between Chandrababu Naidu and nominated MLA from Telangana Elvis Stephenson, from Forensic Sciences Laboratory. The contents of the report will be crucial as it would form the basis for Revanth Reddy’s bail and arrest of some more people. The report is expected today or tomorrow, T New said.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Cash-for-vote: ACB, Stephenson File Counter-Petitions in High Court

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he cash-for-vote scam seems to be a never ending episode. In a major development, nominated MLA to Telangana state, Elvis Stephenson has filed counter a petition in the High Court of Hyderabad against the Andhra Pradesh Government. In his counter petition, the nominated MLA prayed the high court to cancel bail given to Muthiah. Expressing his anguish over the alleged defence of Muthiah-the fourth accused in the infamous cash for vote scam-by Andhra Pradesh Government, Stephenson questioned, in his petition, as to how Andhra Pradesh public prosecutor can speak in defence of a key accused of a major scam.

ACB files counter-petition:

With Revant Reddy’s (accused number one in cash-for-vote scam) bail plea will come for hearing on Wednesday, ACB (which is probing the case) has filed a counter petition in the High Court.The ACB has mentioned that the investigation is at a crucial stage and Revant Reddy was key accused in the scam. It may be recalled that Revant Reddy moved High Court after ACB Court granted just a day’s interim bail (while he reportedly waited for a bail) recently in the wake of his daughter’s engagement.

(Phani B)

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Stephenson’s Statement to Nail Naidu?

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[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he cash-for-vote scam seems to be a never ending topic especially on television channels.  Barely a day after Andhra Pradesh police served notices on T News for allegedly telecasting AP chief minister Chandrababu Naidu’s alleged conversation with nominated MLA to Telangana assembly, Elvis Stephenson, a vernacular news channel claimed that it got the statement of Stephenson, which was recorded before a magistrate at Nampally Court in Hyderabad.

[pullquote position=”left”] In his statement to the court, Stephenson reportedly said that Chandrababu Naidu was the kingpin of the entire cash-for-vote scam.[/pullquote]

In his statement to the court, Stephenson reportedly said that Chandrababu Naidu was the kingpin of the entire cash-for-vote scam. He said that Mathaiah (one of the accused in the scam) visited Stephenson’s residence on May 28 and offered him a sum of two crore rupees besides an air travel ticket in case he accepts to refrain from MLC elections under MLA quota .

On May 29, Stephenson said that he wanted to deal with the key person in this episode after which he was told it was TDP MLA Revanth Reddy who handled it. It was then Stephenson approached the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) and DGP of Telangana state and gave a written complaint over the same.

On May 30, another two accused in the scam—Sebastian and Antony visited Stephenson’s residence while the former told Stephenson that he was sent by Chandrababu Naidu. Later in the noon 12, Revanth Reddy visited Stephenson’s residence. Stephenson informed the same to ACB, who installed cameras at nominated MLA’s residence.[dropcap][/dropcap]

On May 31,  Sebastian telephoned Stephenson and said he wanted to visit him along with Revanth Reddy, however, at a different location. Accordingly, Stephenson arranged for the meeting at his friend’s (Malcolm Taylor) place and also informed the same to ACB who installed cameras-this time- at Taylor’s residence. Later, in the evening Revanth Reddy and Sebastian visited Taylor’s residence with a bag  that contained 50 lakh rupees. It is known that the sting operation was later released to the media by unknown sources.

Notably, Stephenson even told the magistrate the person who connected him to Chandrababu Naidu was Harry Sebastian.

The experts said that this statement of Stephenson will apparently considered as a key evidence. Let us wait and watch when and how curtains will be drawn on this infamous cash-for-vote scam.

(Phani B)

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Cash-for-Vote: ACB Intensifies its Probe

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The Anti Corruption Bureau of Telangana Government has recorded the statement of Elvis Stephenson, the nominated MLA of Telangana assembly, who was offered a sum of Rs. 50 lakh in exchange of his vote in MLC elections under MLA quota last month at his residence by TDP MLA Revant Reddy.

It may be recalled that Revant Reddy was arrested and sent to judicial remand. In connection with this cash-for-vote, Stephenson-who complained to the ACB that he was being lured by TDP based on which ACB conducted a sting operation-appeared before the ACB on Wednesday.

The sources said that Stephenson mentioned Chandrababu’s name in his statement. A day before that the nominated Anglo-Indian Stephenson told at a private function that he was offered the money that he denied to take.

If buzz has to believed, Stephenson even mentioned that the total sum promised was five crore rupees out of which fifty lakh rupees were brought to his residence as an advance.

Statement Submitted to Nampally Magistrate Court:

The recorded statement of Elvis Stephenson was submitted to Third Additional  Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Nampally of Hyderabad. It was reportedly sent in a sealed cover. 

Election Commission on Chandrababu Naidu:

All possible doors to come out of this infamous cash-for-vote scam seem to be closed to TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu. It is known that he has been bringing in the name of Election Commission and questioning as to how ACB would be handling the matter that’s in the purview of EC.

Apparently, Election Commission wrote to the ACB wherein it reportedly mentioned that there was need for in-depth investigation and none would be exempted if proved guilty.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

Stephenson’s Comments Hog Limelight

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The nominated MLA of Telangana, Elvis Stephenson-who didn’t appear in the media after the cash for vote scam-spoke about the episode at a private function in Hyderabad.

In a special meeting organised by Christian communities in the city to felicitate Mr Stephenson, the nominated MLA has said that he came from a middle class family and that he knew the value of money. However, he said he had no regrets in cash-for-vote scam.

Speaking about safeguarding interests of Telangana state, Stephenson has said that a large number of ill forces were trying their best for obstructing the development of Telangana state.

He has even said that he wouldn’t fear the death and if he dies, thousands of Stephensons would emerge to safeguard the interests of Telangana.

These statements are now gaining significance as ACB is reportedly gearing up for recording the statement of Stephenson in the infamous cash-for-vote scam.

Telugu360 is always open for the best and bright journalists. If you are interested in full-time or freelance, email us at Krishna@telugu360.com.

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