Cash for vote scam: Telugu Desam MLA Revnath Reddy sent to 14 days judicial custody

Hyderabad: Telugu Desam MLA Revanth Reddy, who was caught red-handed by the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) for trying to bribe a nominated Anglo-Indian MLA Elvis Stephenson in Telangana State MLC (Member of Legislative Council) elections, was sent to 14 days in judicial custody by a court in Hyderabad on Monday.

The ACB officials confirming the trap of Revanth Reddy said he was booked for offering bribe under Prevention of Corruption Act. ACB Deputy Superintendent of Police Mr Ashok Kumar told Deccan Chronicle, “He was booked for offering bribe under PC act. We counted the cash – it is Rs 50 lakhs. The cash has been seized. The offer made was Rs 5 crore. We are further investigating this case."

Read: MLC elections: Anti Corruption Bureau nabs Telugu Desam MLA Revanth Reddy for bribery

Meanwhile, Revnath Reddy claimed in the court that he was injured when police took him into custody. Two other accused Bishop Harry Sebastian and Udaysimha have also been remanded and sent to jail. Fourth accused Jerusalem Mattaiah is absconding.

The court allowed Reddy to cast his vote in the polls. ACB Director General A K Khan said that Reddy and two others were sent to 14-days judicial custody. "Reventh Reddy was allowed by the court to cast his vote in the MLC elections today," the ACB Chief said. 

However, Reddy’s lawyers are trying to secure him bail by today evening.

Read: Who is Revanth Reddy?

MLC elections are to be held today where in MLAs vote to elect MLCs by preferential vote. The Telugu Desam MLA took it as prestige as his candidate Vem Narendar Reddy was given ticket and onus was put on him to ensure that he wins. But with mass defection of TD MLAs to the ruling TRS, it has become difficult to win the elections.

A senior police official said ,"Revanth Reddy had contacted Anglo India MLA Stephenson three days ago. He had been trying to lure the nominated MLA. On Friday the nominated MLA complained to ACB alleging that the MLA is trying to lure him with money. ACB laid a trap based on the written complaint of the nominated MLA." On Sunday afternoon Revanth along with his two other aides went to the house of the friend of Stephenson in an apartment Pushpa Nilayama in Vijayapuri Colongy in Lalaguda of Secunderabad to hand over the cash.

Read: Telugu Desam to support Revanth Reddy

ACB sleuths who were waiting in disguise caught the MLA Revanth Reddy and his aides immiedateily after they opened the cash box in the house. The police also made audio and video evidence of the whole episode aiding the case. "A case has been registered against MLA Revanth Reddy under Prevention of Corruption Act, The Represetnation of the Peoples Act and he is in custody," ACB is likely to formalise the arrest of MLA and his aides. The trap came as big shocker to Andhra Pradesh CM Naidu's Telugu Desam.

According to the footage, Reddy also promised to take "care" of Stephenson if anything went "wrong".

Read: Cash for vote scam: Telugu Desam MLA Revanth Reddy took name of his ‘boss’ frequently

Watch: Telugu Desam MLA Revanth Reddy caught in cash for vote scam

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