Revanth Reddy Sent To Chanchalguda Jail

The Special Judge for ACB Cases Lakshmipathi on Monday remanded Telangana TDP legislator A Revanth Reddy, and his two aides Sebastian Harry and Udaysimha, to 14 days in judicial custody on the charge of trying to bribe nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson to vote for the TDP-BJP candidate in the elections to the Telangana Legislative Council.

The TDP MLA was trapped by ACB sleuths while he was handing over the tainted money to the complainant.

However, on a petition filed by Reddy, the Special Judge granted permission to the accused to exercise his franchise in the MLC poll in the Assembly Hall.

Accordingly, the police brought Reddy to the Telangana Assembly, where he was greeted by the TDP and BJP members. He cast his vote along with them.

After the casting of the vote, the ACB officials escorted the TDP leader to the Chanchalguda central jail along with his co-accused.

As the TDP leader feared a threat to his life, the prison officials lodged him in a high security barrack as Khaidi No. 1779.

The ACB, which had arrested Reddy on Sunday night after laying a trap for him, presented him before a magistrate at the latter's residence.

Reddy had been arrested earlier amidst high drama from a flat in Vijayapuri Colony in Secunderabad while he was handing over currency note bundles worth Rs 50 lakhs to Anglo-Indian MLA Elvis Stephenson. ACB officials said that the amount was an advance for a Rs. 5-crore promised payment in return for the nominated MLA voting for the TDP-BJP candidate. The entire episode was recorded using spy cameras.

ACB Director-General A K Khan said that they had registered a case two days ago after receiving a written complaint.

Reddy has been booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act and relevant IPC provisions.

Immediately after Reddy's arrest, a delegation of TDP leaders met Director General of Police Anurag Sharma and lodged a strong protest. They also staged a sit-in till late in the night at the ACB office where Reddy was being questioned. And as the news of Reddy's arrest spread like wild-fire, TDP activists staged protests in various parts of Telangana on Monday.

Meanwhile, Reddy's lawyer filed a bail petition in the city civil court. TDP national president and AP Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu decided to support Reddy both politically and legally. (NSS)