HYDERABAD: TRS MLC L. Ramana, who appeared before the Enforcement Directorate officials for questioning in connection with the casino gambling case, fell unconscious during the session and was rushed to a private hospital for treatment. His condition is stated to be stable.
Sources said Ramana who had recently undergone a heart surgery had taken the stairs to the third floor office of the ED in Basheerbagh instead of taking the elevator.
Ramana had appeared at the ED office with bank statements. Sources said Ramana collapsed on the ground hours after the questioning began.
The ED had opened an investigation into the TRS MLC after he allegedly travelled abroad to take part in a casino session organised by Chikoti Praveen Kumar and Dasari Madhava Reddy. Following that, the ED served Ramana with notices for violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), and summoned him to appear before it for questioning.
According to sources, the ED found a match in the call data of Ramana and Chikoti Praveen Kumar. After Ramana recovers from his illness, ED officials will most likely serve him with notices to appear for questioning again.
Meanwhile, the agency officials who questioned animal husbandry minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav's relatives have served notices on his personal assistant (PA) Harish, summoning him to appear before the ED. According to reports, the minister's PA spoke with suspects in the casino gambling case and allegedly made some financial transactions.
