Chandrababu Naidu's advocates go to Dharmabad, case today

Vijayawada: TD leaders and cadres are anxiously waiting for the outcome of the hearing at Dharmabad court in Maharashtra scheduled to be held on Friday.

Senior advocate and TD Rajya Sabha member, Kanakamedala Ravindra Babu, along with state Advocate General, Dammalapati Srinivas, and a battery of advocates left for Maharashtra to attend the Dharmabad court in a case dating back to 2010.  

The state government will file a petition in the court on Friday for recall of the non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. The case is related to a protest by Naidu against the construction of the Babli project in Maharashtra.

Government sources said that depending on the situation and proceedings in the Dharmabad court after the recall petition is filed, the government has plans to approach the Maharashtra High Court on the issue.

Mr Naidu led an agitation in July 2010 and wanted to visit the Babli project site across the border stating that the project would affect those living downstream in the north Telangana region in the then united AP.

Mr Naidu is said to have received the summons on Thursday when he was in the Tirumala temple.

He was arrested in 2010 by the Maharashtra police violating prohibitory orders and released later after a few days of judicial custody. Fifteen other TD leaders, including ministers, Devineni Umamaheswar Rao and Nakka Anand Babu were also issued NBW orders by the Dharmabad first class Judicial Magistrate Court and asked to appear before the Court on September 21.  

Mr Naidu and 15 others were charged under the IPC with offences like assault or criminal force to deter public servants from discharge of duty, voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means, act endangering life or personal safety of others and criminal intimidation.