Cash for vote: SC refuses to cancel TDP MLA’s bail

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to cancel the bail granted by Andhra Pradesh High Court to Telangana TDP MLA A Revanth Reddy, the prime accused in a cash-for-vote case. A bench comprising Chief Justice H L Dattu and justices Arun Mishra and Amitava Roy dismissed the plea of Telangana government's <g data-gr-id="16">Anti Corruption</g> Bureau (ACB) seeking cancellation of the bail to Reddy and two co-accused, Bishop Harry Sebastian and R Uday Simha, by the High Court on June 30.

The High Court had directed Reddy and the two others to furnish a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh each and two sureties of the like amount, besides asking them to cooperate with the investigating agency ACB. Reddy was also asked to surrender his passport and not to leave his Assembly constituency. 

Earlier, the special court for ACB cases had rejected the bail pleas of Reddy and the two others. 

Subsequently, Reddy and the two other accused had moved the Andhra Pradesh High Court on June 15 seeking bail. Reddy had contended before the High Court that it was a politically motivated case and he was being falsely implicated. However, Telangana government had opposed the bail applications stating that the source of Rs 4.5 crore funds was yet to be ascertained and apprehended tampering of evidence. The HC Judge, Justice Raja Elango, had earlier said that there was some material to register the case, but wondered why the police officers have not recorded reasons for arrest in writing as contemplated under the law, when the maximum <g data-gr-id="18">sentence in this case</g> is less than seven years.