ED summons Elivs in cash-for-votes scam

Hyderabad: The Enforcement Directorate has served summons to nominated Anglo-Indian legislator Elvis Stephenson and his aide Malcolm Taylor to appear for questioning in connection with the cash-for-vote case registered in 2015.

Mr Stephenson is the complainant, and Mr Taylor is listed as witness. They have been summoned individually, Mr Taylor on March 8 and Mr Stephenson on March 12

This is the first time that either of them have been called for questioning with regard to the Rs 50 lakh that was offered to Mr Stephenson as a bribe by then TD legislator A. Revanth Reddy to support a party candidate for the MLC election that year. Mr Revanth Reddy joined the Congress last year.

The ED sleuths have also issued summons to legislator Sandra Venkata Veeraiah to appear for questioning. Mr Veeraiah last week announced his intention to defect from the Telugu Desam to the ruling TRS. He is an accused in the case according to the chargesheet filed by the Anti- Corruption Bureau.  

A source told this newspaper, “The ED, income-tax department and the Anti-Corruption Bureau will jointly question the trio in connection with this case. It is learnt that none of the investigating agencies have been able to track the source of Rs 50 lakh Revanth Reddy offered as a bribe to Mr Stephenson on May 31, 2015. Therefore Mr Stephenson and Mr Taylor are being asked to appear for questioning.”