Cash-for-vote scam: Another TDP MLA S Venkata Veeraiah goes behind bars

Hyderabad: In a significant move in the cash-for-vote case, the Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau arrested Telugu Desam Sattupally MLA Sandra Venkata Veeraiah on Monday on charges of conspiring and aiding the other accused in the case.

Call data records have revealed Mr Veeraiah’s link to the case and that he was in touch with Telugu Desam MLA A. Revanth Reddy and Jerusalem Mattaiah. On Monday, Mr Veeraiah was interrogated for seven hours at the ACB headquarters in Banjara Hills after he appeared before officials.

An ACB official said, “We have arrested him on charges of conspiring and aiding the accused. He has refused to cooperate with the investigation. He had avoided the investigation for more than two weeks and evaded interrogation.”

The officer said Mr Veeraiah had good relations with Bishop Harry Sebastian and others and was involved in the initial stages of the crime and was in touch with the accused on the day of the offence too.

Mr Veeraiah appeared before ACB officials at around 10.30 am on Monday, responding to the notice served on him. On June 19, the MLA had written to the ACB saying he was sick and had sought 10 days’ time. On July 4, the ACB served a fresh notice on Mr Veeraiah, asking him to appear for interrogation by Monday.

The ACB had earlier served a notice to Mr Veeraiah under Section 160 of the CrPC to appear as a witness. TD leader Jimmy Babu, who introduced Mr Mr Mattaiah to TS nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson, the complainant in the case, was also served notice.