Cash-for-vote: TDP MLA Veeraiah sent to judicial custody

Telangana TDP MLA Sandra Venkata Veeraiah, arrested by ACB in connection with the cash-for-vote case, was on Tuesday remanded in judicial custody till July 21 by a local court.

Veeraiah, who was arrested by Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau on Monday after a day-long questioning in connection with the case, was on Tuesday produced before a special court for ACB cases.

The defence, however, strongly argued that Veeraiah's arrest was illegal and sought his release, though the court, on the basis of remand report filed by the Investigating Officer, sent him in judicial custody till July 21. The arrest of Veeraiah is the second in the controversial cash-for-vote case, following the arrest of another TDP MLA and party's deputy floor leader in Telangana Assembly A Revanth Reddy.

Veeraiah, who represents <g data-gr-id="16">Sattupally</g> constituency in Khammam district, allegedly made several calls to co-accused <g data-gr-id="17">Mattaiah</g> Jerusalem before allegedly contacting nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson in the run up to the MLC polls. The ACB filed a petition seeking five-day police custody of Veeraiah even as the defence moved a bail application. Both the petitions are scheduled for arguments on Wednesday.