Andhra HC sets aside ACB court order against CM

In a relief to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Hyderabad High Court on Friday set aside the order of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court seeking a probe into allegations of corruption against him in the cash-for-vote scam.

The court pronounced the order on a quash petition filed by Naidu challenging the ACB court's order.

A single-judge bench had earlier granted interim stay on the order of the Principal Special Judge of ACB court.

The court agreed with the contention of Naidu's counsel that there were no grounds for any investigation.

The court dismissed a petition filed by former MP U. Arun Kumar seeking a probe against Naidu.

The ACB court in August had passed the orders on a petition moved by YSR Congress Party legislator Alla Ramakrishna Reddy.

The scam rocked both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh last year.

The case relates to allegations that Telugu Desam Party (TDP) leaders tried to bribe a nominated MLA of Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) to vote for the TDP-backed candidate in elections to the Telangana legislative council.

Telangana TDP leader Revanth Reddy, who was caught red handed by ACB while offering Rs 50 lakh to nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson, and a couple of others were arrested.

Naidu's name figured in the case after a tape of his alleged telephonic conversation with Stephenson was aired on television channels.

--IANS

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