Today, 18th April, The Supreme Court decided to postpone the hearing of the ‘Cash for Vote’ case to July 24. This rescheduling provides additional time for both parties to prepare their arguments and evidence. The case revolves around alleged instances of bribery during voting processes, prompting significant public and legal scrutiny. The new hearing date marks a crucial point in this ongoing legal battle.
New Delhi: The trial of the “Cash for Vote” case, a significant legal matter in the Telugu states, witnessed a delay in the Supreme Court today. Two separate petitions filed by YSR Congress Party MLA Alla Ramakrishna Reddy, seeking to name Chandrababu Naidu as an accused and transfer the investigation to the CBI. Despite Chandrababu Naidu’s name being mentioned 22 times in Telangana’s Anti-Corruption Bureau charge sheet, he hasn’t been officially accused, emphasized the petition.
However, upon the request of a Telangana lawyer, the court opted to postpone the hearing until July 24.
At the start of today’s hearing on the petition, legal representatives for Naidu and the Telangana government promptly asked the court for another postponement, citing the need for additional time to submit their replies.
A panel comprising Justices Sundaresh and SVN Bhatti presided over the petition, which sought to name former Andhra Pradesh chief minister and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu as a defendant in the case.
Mangalagiri MLA Alla Ramakrishna Reddy from YSRCP approached the Supreme Court, urging it to designate Naidu as a defendant in the cash-for-vote case. His plea rested on the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau’s (ACB) charge sheet, which extensively references the TDP leader. Previously, the MLA criticized the ACB for purportedly not bringing the case to a satisfactory resolution.
N. Chandrababu Naidu
Ramakrishna Reddy informed,
“Revanth Reddy was apprehended for purportedly offering a bribe of Rs 50 lakh to TRS (now BRS) nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson to switch sides and support TDP nominee Vem Narendar Reddy in the Legislative Council elections. Naidu will face consequences in the near future.”
Read Also:Supreme Court to Hear Telangana Congress Chief Revanth Reddy’s Plea in Cash-for-Votes Case
Ramakrishna Reddy, accused Chandrababu Naidu and Revanth Reddy of colluding, emphasizing that this delay represents their last opportunity as further postponements are unlikely. He criticized the prolonged seven-year delay in advancing the case, attributing it to systemic tactics aimed at stalling proceedings.
Reddy highlighted that despite ample evidence, the seeming inevitability of Chandrababu Naidu facing consequences in this case remains evident. This highlights the urgency and frustration surrounding the legal battle’s progress.