- ED files charge sheet with MP Revanth Reddy accused No 1
- Chandrababu Naidu gets breather in case after six years as ACB and ED fail to prove his role
- 5 more mentioned in prosecution complaint
Hyderabad: It is a big relief for Chandrababu Naidu on the eve of Mahanadu, his name has been dropped from the charge sheet of vote for note case that had shaken Telugu states’ politics in 2015. On Thursday, the ED filed a charge sheet (prosecution complaint) with TPCC working President and Malkajgiri MP Revanth Reddy as accused number one, along with five others. The others are: Vemkrishna Keerthan( son of Vem Narendrer Reddy), MLA Sandra Venkata Veeriah, Bishop Sebastian, Rudra Uday Simha and Mattiah Jerusalem.
It is well known that Revant Reddy was caught red headedly by ACB while offering bribe of 50 lakhs (in cash) to Anglo- Indian MLA Elvis Stephenson to abstain from voting or to vote in favour of TDP’s MLC candidate Vem Narender in 2015. A charge sheet was also filed after an investigation under PMLA. Later in 2019, ED recorded statements of the accused and witnesses including that of Revanth Reddy, Uday Simha and Sebastian who were said to have handed over the bribe amount to Stephenson.
Relief for Naidu
The role of former Chief Minister Chandrababu was ruled out by ACB and ED in the case. The investigation agencies could not prove the role, hence his name was removed from charge sheet, says ED source. In audio conversation with Stephenson also, Naidu did not speak about money, so his name was removed from accused, said ED sources.
This comes as a big relief for TDP Supremo who is busy in virtual meeting with his leaders on the eve of Mahanadu.
