Cash-for-vote scam: Judicial remand of Revanth Reddy extended

A local court today extended till June 29 the judicial remand of TDP MLA A Revanth Reddy and two others arrested by Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau in the cash-for-vote case.

Reddy, along with Bishop Harry Sebastian and R Uday Simha, were produced before the special court for ACB cases from the Cherlapally Central Prison.

The probe agency filed a memo before the court saying investigation is still pending in the case and requested for remand extension of the accused.

Accordingly, the court extended their remand till June 29.

Meanwhile, the ACB was still awaiting reports from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) on electronic devices, including some phones containing few audio clips and video footage relating to the case, that were sent to ascertain their authenticity.

Audio records of an alleged conversation between Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Elvis Stephenson, a nominated MLA from the Anglo-Indian community, that were aired by some TV channels were also sent to the FSL.

"We are expecting the FSL reports in the next 3-4 days," a senior ACB officer told PTI.

On May 31, Telangana TDP MLA Revanth Reddy was caught by ACB along with Bishop Harry Sebastian and R Uday Simha while paying an alleged bribe of Rs 50 lakh to Elvis Stephenson for supporting the TDP nominee in Legislative Council elections on June 1.

Meanwhile, Revanth reddy and two other accused moved the Hyderabad High Court seeking bail. A special ACB court had last week rejected their bail plea.