Relief for AP CM, Hyderabad HC stays probe on ‘cash for vote’ case

The Hyderabad High Court on Friday granted stay on a lower court’s order for an investigation against Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in a cash-for-vote case.The court directed Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to file a counter report on a petition filed by Naidu, seeking quashing of the lower court order.The court adjourned further hearing in the case.

Principal Special Judge for ACB cases on Monday ordered the bureau to thoroughly investigate a petition filed by YSR Congress legislator A. Ramakrishna Reddy. The legislator had sought a probe into Naidu’s role in the case.Naidu, in his petition, argued that Reddy had no locus standi in the case. He also reminded that the ACB had already filed final charge sheet.

Revanth Reddy, a legislator of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) in Telangana, was last year caught red handed by the ACB offering Rs 50 lakh to nominated legislator Elvis Stephenson to make him vote for him in council elections.

An audio tape of Naidu’s alleged telephone conversation with Stephenson had also surfaced.