TDP Sathupally MLA Sandra Venkata Veeraiah on Friday sought time to appear before the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) authorities in connection with the note-for-vote scam, on health grounds and upon doctors' advice.
The ACB authorities investigating the scam had served notice to him for recording his statement in connection with the murky deal. Since he was not available in his quarters, they had pasted the notice on his door twice, and had given time till 5pm on Friday for making his appearance.
In a surprise development, the MLA, who had been avoiding appearing before the ACB for the past three days though another party leader Vem Narender Reddy had already deposed before the investigating officials, sent a letter to the ACB through an emissary, seeking time.
The TDP legislator, in the letter addressed to the ASP of the ACB M Malla Reddy, explained that due to prior commitments and also in view of serious health problems, he could not appear before the ACB.
Since doctors had advised complete bed rest for 10 days and also asked him not to travel, he was not in a position to come to the ACB office on Friday as stipulated in the notice, he said.
Assuring that he would appear before the ACB once his health permitted, and cooperate in every way in the investigations, Veeraiah said that if the authorities wanted to record his statement right away they could also come to the hospital where he was undergoing treatment. (NSS)