Alleged 'vote trader' missing

Hyderabad, Mar 19: S A Khan, one of the two persons, picked up by Income Tax officials from a hotel room in the city with cash of Rs 25 lakh, allegedly meant for vote trading in Rajya Sabha polls, on Friday, went missing from his hotel room last night.

Later, there were reports that he went to Chittor district to meet his relatives.

Sources said Income Tax officials had raided the room, leading to the recovery of unaccounted' cash of Rs 25 lakh.

The state and central intelligence agencies were clueless about the real conspirators, the sources said.

There were also reports that Khan went to Nadimpally village of Erravaripalyam mandal in Chittoor district, where his aunt resides.

But he left the place before the police could reach him. The police also suspect that Khan's wife Fathima Bee is also a Congress worker.

According to sources, Khan is an associate of an owner of a chain of Public Schools in New Delhi. The educationist had aspired to contest for the Rajya Sabha as an Independent candidate from Andhra Pradesh.

Khan is reported to be a former Congress partyman from Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, a report from Chithoor said Pileru police denied reports of the arrest of S M Khan at Yerravaripalem Mandalam in Chithoor district. Rumours were being spread in the district about the arrest.

Meanwhile, a report from Chithoor said Pileru police denied reports of the arrest of S M Khan at Yerravaripalem Mandalam in Chithoor district. Rumours were being spread in the district about the arrest.

UNI