ACB may name Naidu as accused in 'Cash for Vote' case

The Anti-Corruption Bureau is most likely name Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu as one of the accused in the 'Cash for Vote' case.

The issue was discussed at a high-level meeting convened by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao at his camp office on Thursday. The meeting was attended by ACB Director General AK Khan and IG Intelligence Shivadhar Reddy. According to sources, legal opinion is being sought on whether Naidu could be included as accused based on the interaction TDP MLA A Revanth Reddy had with nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson while trying to bribe him. Further, instead of relying only on the interaction between the two MLAs, the ACB wants to strengthen its case by recording Revanth Reddy's statement by taking him into custody.

The ACB has already filed a petition before the Special Court for ACB Cases seeking five-day custody of Revanth Reddy for further questioning. The next hearing on the case is posted for Friday. The hearing on Revanth Reddy's bail petition too is scheduled for Friday.

A decision on inclusion of Naidu as an accused in the case is likely to be taken only after the court give its verdict on Revanth Reddy's custody petition and also on the statement that he makes before the ACB during interrogation.