Case against Speaker: Telangana High Court issues notices

The petition sought to quash the criminal proceedings initiated against him in connection with a complaint filed by the Vikarabad police.

Hyderabad: Justice K Lakshman of the Telangana High Court on Monday issued notices in a quash petition filed by Gaddam Prasad Kumar, Speaker of the Telangana Legislative Assembly and MLA from Vikarabad constituency. The petition sought to quash the criminal proceedings initiated against him in connection with a complaint filed by the Vikarabad police. The case stems from a hunger strike that Prasad Kumar allegedly participated in on March 12, 2019, in front of the RDO office in Vikarabad. The MLA has been accused of violating the Election Code of Conduct in force at the time, by conducting the hunger strike without obtaining the necessary permissions. In his petition, Prasad Kumar contended that he was falsely implicated in the case, which he argued was based on vague and baseless allegations. The court has directed that notices be issued to the concerned parties, and the matter is adjourned for further hearing.

Telangana High Court extends interim order granted to Harish Rao

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Hyderabad: Justice K. Lakshman of the Telangana High Court on Monday extended the interim order granted to BRS MLA T Harish Rao in connection with the phone tapping case.

Earlier the court had directed the Punjagutta Police not to arrest him. The case, registered under FIR No. 1205/2024 on December 1, accused Harish Rao of involvement in criminal conspiracy, extortion, breach of trust, criminal intimidation, and violations of the IT Act, 2008. The FIR stems from allegations made by Gadhagoni Chakradhar Goud, who claimed that Harish Rao used State intelligence resources to illegally tap his phone and those of his family members. The complaint alleged that these actions were part of a broader effort to intimidate Goud due to his social activism and political rivalry with Harish Rao. Due to paucity of time, Justice Lakshman adjourned the case to January 9 for further hearing.