Hyderabad: BJP’s top leader B.L. Santosh did not turn up for questioning by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that is probing the alleged TRS MLAs poaching case, on Monday. Along with him, Tushar Vellapally, head of Bharat Dharma Jana Sena, and Dr Jaggu Swamy, both from Kerala, who were also summoned, did not show up, leaving the SIT to explore alternatives.
Though notices served on them mentions that they could be arrested if they do not appear for questioning or do not comply with the conditions of the notice, SIT is taking legal opinion on the further course of action.
Meanwhile, Karimnagar-based advocate B. Srinivas, turned up and was grilled for around eight hours on Monday. He reportedly told the investigators that he booked had flight tickets for one of the accused, D.P.S.K.V.N. Simhayaji, from Tirupati to Hyderabad, for the latter to perform some special pujas.
When asked if he had booked the tickets on his own or on the instructions of somebody else, Srinivas remained evasive, it was learnt. The SIT also questioned him about several telephonic conversations between him and Simhayaji, to which Srinivas remained silent, it was learnt.
Reportedly, SIT will inform the Telangana High Court about the absence of Santosh. The court had earlier directed Santosh and Srinivas to comply with the conditions imposed by SIT and also directed the SIT not to arrest them till further orders.
