ACB starts questioning TDP leader in cash-for-vote case

Hyderabad, June 17: The Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) today began questioning TDP leader Vem Narendar Reddy in connection with the cash-for-vote case and served a fresh notice to the party legislator Sandra Venkata Veeraiah.

Narendar Reddy appeared at the ACB office in Banjara Hills here after being served a notice by the probe agency. "Questioning was going on," said M Malla Reddy, Superintendent of Police, ACB.

Narendar Reddy had unsuccessfully contested the Telangana Legislative Council election held on June 1. The ACB today issued another notice to TDP MLA Veeraiah, who represents Sattupally constituency in Khammam district.

The notice was pasted outside the MLA's house here, which read "In view of the case registered, you are hereby requested to appear before the ACB as you are acquainted with the facts and circumstances of this case."

The notice, issued under section 160 of Criminal Procedure Code, further stated: "You are required to comply with this notice and appear before the office of Anti-Corruption Bureau at Banjara Hills, without fail, before 5 PM on June 19."

The ACB officials had last night issued notices to both Veeraiah and Narendar Reddy. On May 31, Telangana TDP MLA Revanth Reddy was caught by ACB along with Bishop Harry Sebastian and R Uday Simha while allegedly paying a bribe of Rs 50 lakh to Elvis Stephenson, a nominated MLA, for supporting the TDP nominee in Legislative Council election.

Revanth Reddy and two others are presently in judicial custody and lodged in Cherlapally Central Prison here. In a related development, Stephenson and two others appeared before a magistrate here to record their statements.

Stephenson has lodged a complaint with ACB alleging that he was offered the bribe to vote in favour of TDP nominee.

PTI