Today, On 15th October, In the Cash-for-Vote Case, Telangana CM A. Revanth Reddy told the Supreme Court that the ACB’s operation in 2015 was “completely illegal,” as it happened before any FIR was filed. The hearing is now adjourned to October 16.
The Supreme Court heard a plea filed by Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy concerning the 2015 “Cash for Vote case”.
The bench, which included Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Vijay Bishnoi, reviewed the matter.
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Revanth Reddy, argued that the operation conducted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in the cash-for-vote case was “completely illegal” because it occurred before any First Information Report (FIR) was registered.
Following the arguments, the court decided to adjourn the hearing until Thursday, October 16.
Rohatgi contended that under the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), no investigation can begin without an FIR.
He stated,
“A trap was set up before an FIR was registered. The trap is completely illegal because no investigation can commence before registration of FIR under the CrPC. There was no general diary entry and no FIR.”
Rohatgi also pointed out that three individuals were apprehended while allegedly offering a bribe.
He claimed,
“I am being prosecuted under section 12 of the PC Act as it stood in 2015. It is abetment of section 7 and 11. But in 2010, the bribe giver was not under section 7 and 11, only the bribe taker. I am an alleged bribe giver. In 2018, an amendment was made to include bribe givers under section 8. So 12 read with 7 and 11 did not include bribe givers as it stood in 2015.”
He argued that even if the allegations fell under Sections 7, 11, and 12, those provisions pertained only to actions performed by a public servant in the course of their official duties.
He noted that casting or abstaining from voting in a Legislative Council election does not constitute an official act under the law.
Revanth Reddy, who was then a TDP MLA, was implicated in a sting operation where he allegedly offered Rs.50 lakh to Anglo-Indian MLA Elvis Stephenson to secure his vote for TDP candidate Vem Narender Reddy during the Telangana Legislative Council elections.
Audio recordings purportedly capturing discussions between Stephenson and then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Naidu emerged, suggesting a broader conspiracy.
The ACB arrested Revanth Reddy on May 31, 2015, invoking the Prevention of Corruption Act and related provisions for bribery.
He was granted bail by the Telangana High Court on August 3, 2015.
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