Hyderabad, October 16: The Nampally Metropolitan Sessions Court has postponed the hearing in the cash-for-vote case against Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy to November 14. The deferral occurred as the presiding judge was on leave, delaying the Wednesday session.
Revanth Reddy, along with other accused individuals, was scheduled to appear before the court on October 16. However, the hearing was originally set for September 24, where only one of the accused, Mathaiah Jerusalem, attended. Revanth Reddy, who was then a member of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), along with others, had failed to be present.
The case traces back to 2015, when Revanth Reddy was accused of attempting to bribe nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson. The alleged bribe, intended to secure Stephenson’s vote in favor of TDP candidate Vem Narender Reddy in the Legislative Council elections, was reportedly Rs. 5 crore, with Rs. 50 lakh given as an advance. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), in a sting operation, apprehended Revanth Reddy while he was offering the bribe.
In 2021, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) stepped in, filing a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The charges were based on video evidence and witness testimonies implicating Revanth Reddy in money laundering activities.
According to reports, the ED has collected substantial evidence linking Revanth Reddy to money laundering, specifically the use of proceeds amounting to Rs. 50 lakh. A report published by Hindustan Times suggests that ED officials have confirmed Revanth Reddy’s direct involvement in money laundering as outlined under Section 3 of the PMLA. They further indicated that the investigation had established his role in handling and utilizing proceeds from the alleged crime.
Moreover, during questioning by the ED in February 2019, Revanth Reddy had reportedly given false statements, claiming that he and his aide, Rudra Uday Simha, were forcibly taken away by police officers to a nearby apartment during a discussion. However, this claim was contradicted by his gunmen, who stated that no such incident occurred.
As the case moves forward, all eyes will be on the next hearing, scheduled for November 14, to see how the allegations against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy unfold.
