PNS|Hyderabad
The Telangana High Court on Monday directed Raghavendra Raju, who filed an election petition challenging the election of Minister V. Srinivas Goud from the Mahbubnagar Assembly constituency in 2018, to furnish the list of witnesses to be examined within a week.
Srinivas Goud submitted his nomination along with an affidavit during the 2018 election. But he was accused of uploading another affidavit in place of the affidavit during the election.
Last week Srinivas Goud filed a quash petition on the election affidavit tampering issue. Proceedings continued based on the election affidavit filed by Srinivas Goud on November 19, 2018. The court directed the petitioner to submit the affidavits and evidence in court.
The High Court also issued orders to the petitioner and the respondent not to share any information regarding court proceedings with the media.
The High Court adjourned further hearing in the matter to August 7.
During the 2018 elections, BJP leader Sanjay filed a petition alleging that Gangula Kamalakar gave false details in his affidavit. The court which heard the petition gave permission to cross-examine the petitioner.
The High Court Bench constituted by the commission headed by retired district judge Shailaja ordered the cross-examination to be completed in the period from August 12 to 17. The next hearing in the matter has been posted to August 21. The High Court has already given its verdict cancelling the election of Kothagudem MLA Vanama Venkateshwar Rao and is now examining the petitions filed against ministers Srinivas Goud and Gangula Kamalakar.
The Special Court for the trial of MPs and MLAs at Nampally reportedly ordered the registration of a criminal case for election affidavit tampering against Minister Srinivas Goud. It also ordered that a case should be registered against the IAS officers and the election returning officers along with the minister. It also reportedly directed the police to register cases against State and Central returning officers.
