[BREAKING] “Will Appoint Special Prosecutor to Conduct Trial”: SC in 2015 Cash-For-Vote Scam Case of Telangana CM-Revanth Reddy

The Supreme Court Today (Aug 29) orally said it would appoint a Special Prosecutor for the trial in the 2015 cash-for-vote scam case in which Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is involved. A Bench headed by Justice BR Gavai observed it would pass a formal order at 2 p.m. after consultations with the Telangana judiciary. The Bench was hearing a petition filed by BRS MLA Guntakandla Jagadish Reddy seeking a transfer of the trial from Telangana to another State.

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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India announced on Thursday its decision to appoint a special prosecutor to oversee the trial in the 2015 cash-for-vote scam case, where Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy is one of the accused.

The case has attracted significant attention, particularly with the involvement of a sitting Chief Minister in the alleged bribery scandal.

The Supreme Court was addressing a petition that requested the transfer of the trial from Telangana to Bhopal, citing concerns about the possibility of a biased trial due to Reddy’s current political influence as both the Chief Minister and Home Minister of Telangana.

The bench, comprising Justices B R Gavai, P K Mishra, and K V Viswanathan, acknowledged these concerns but initially expressed reservations about discrediting judicial officers based on mere apprehensions.

The bench remarked-

“Only on apprehension, how can we entertain…If we entertain such petitions, we will be disbelieving our judicial officers.”

Senior advocate C Aryama Sundaram, representing Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA Guntakandla Jagadish Reddy and others, argued that a fair trial in Telangana could be compromised because the Chief Minister has publicly commented on the case and, as Home Minister, wields considerable influence over the state’s law enforcement apparatus.

Sundaram emphasized the principle of natural justice, stating-

“There is a rule of natural justice that no person should be a judge in his own cause.”

In response to these arguments, the Supreme Court indicated its intention to appoint an independent public prosecutor to ensure the trial proceeds with impartiality. The bench decided to consult with colleagues from Telangana before passing an official order at 2 pm.

The case dates back to May 31, 2015, when Revanth Reddy, then a member of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), was caught by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) while allegedly offering a Rs 50 lakh bribe to Elvis Stephenson, a nominated MLA, to secure support for a TDP candidate in the legislative council elections. Following the incident, Revanth Reddy, along with others involved, was arrested but later granted bail.

The petition seeking to transfer the trial argues that a fair trial is a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, and that the involvement of the current Chief Minister as an accused could undermine the trial’s fairness. It raises concerns that Revanth Reddy’s powerful position could potentially influence prosecution witnesses, causing them to alter their testimony under pressure.

In addition to seeking the transfer of this trial, the petition also requested the transfer of another related case from a Telangana court to Bhopal. The Supreme Court, recognizing the complexity and significance of the matter, deferred the hearing of Reddy’s separate petition, which challenges the jurisdiction of the ACB court in conducting the trial, until February.

The 2015 charge sheet filed by the ACB against Revanth Reddy and others under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) included claims of substantial evidence, such as audio and video recordings and the recovery of the Rs 50 lakh bribe amount.

The case continues to be a focal point in Telangana’s political and legal landscape, with the Supreme Court’s decision on the special prosecutor and potential trial transfer awaited with great interest.

Click Here to Read Previous Reports on Revanth Reddy

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