Telangana High Court Issues Notices in Criminal Cases Against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy
In a significant legal development, Justice K Sujana of the Telangana High Court on Monday issued formal notices to the state government and the complainants in four distinct criminal cases filed against Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. The court was hearing criminal petitions submitted by the CM, which seek the quashing of these cases related to alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during the 2019 Huzurnagar by-election campaign.
Background of the Cases and Court Proceedings
At the time of the alleged incidents, Revanth Reddy served as the Member of Parliament for Malkajgiri. The court has directed both the state authorities and the complainants—all of whom are officials deputed by the Election Commission of India—to file their detailed counters in response to the petitions. The hearing has been adjourned and is scheduled to resume on April 21 for further proceedings.
Legal Arguments Presented by the Chief Minister's Counsel
During the hearing, the counsel representing Chief Minister Revanth Reddy presented several key arguments. They contended that there is no specific material evidence linking the CM to deliberate obstruction of public order. The legal team cited the precedent set by the Supreme Court ruling in the Bhajan Lal case to support their position.
Additionally, the counsel highlighted that the Telangana High Court had previously quashed the same four criminal cases against Uttam Kumar Reddy, who is also named as an accused in these matters. Based on this precedent, they urged the court to similarly quash the cases against Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, arguing for consistency in judicial treatment.
Details of the Alleged MCC Violations
The criminal cases stem from events that occurred in October 2019, during the Huzurnagar by-election campaign. The allegations involve roadshows, rallies, and a public meeting held at multiple locations, including Nereducherla, Mattampally Chowrastha, Janapahad village, and Huzurnagar town. The complaints accuse the activities of causing obstruction, violating noise regulations, and leading to significant traffic congestion, thereby breaching the Model Code of Conduct enforced by the Election Commission.
This legal battle underscores ongoing scrutiny of political conduct during election periods and could set important precedents for future cases involving high-profile figures in Telangana's political landscape.
