Telangana “Poaching” Case: Major Setback for KCR as High Court Quashes SIT and Transfers Case to CBI.
In a major blow for the K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR)-led administration, the Telangana High Court on Monday forwarded the poaching case—filed by four Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs—to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The seven-member SIT that the Telangana government had established earlier this month to look into an alleged attempt to steal MLAs from the ruling party was also disbanded by the HC.
BRS social media convenor Krishank tweeted in response to the development that the “hiding mouse” feels relieved by the HC order without providing any other information.
Ram Chander Rao, a BJP leader and attorney who spoke on the party’s behalf and welcomed the HC judgement, said that the SIT had not conducted a sufficient probe and had neglected to take the case’s technical aspects into account.
“We reported that we had been subjected to political harassment to the court. Even though the BJP was not involved, (the SIT) brought up the party’s name. Political motivations were used to file the lawsuit. The chief minister called a press conference and levelled accusations. The SIT lacked the power to look into the matter. Rao told reporters that only the Anti-Corruption Bureau had the power to look into the situation.
Hyderabad Police Commissioner CV Anand oversaw the SIT. The SIT must provide the CBI with case-related evidence and statements, per a high court ruling.
THE CASE According to BRS MLA Rohith Reddy, one of the four complainants in the poaching case, Ramachandra Bharati alias Satish Sharma, Nandu Kumar, and Simhayaji Swamy offered him Rs 100 crore in exchange for leaving the BRS (formerly known as Telangana Rashtra Samiti) and running as a BJP candidate in the upcoming Assembly elections, which are likely to take place in late 2023.
According to the FIR filed, the accused offered each BRS MLA Rs. 50 crores to join the BJP in exchange for bringing them to the party.
The Enforcement Directorate subsequently served Reddy with a notice, and the BRS politician subsequently appeared twice before the organisation. He claimed that on Monday, ED officials questioned him about his personal information but omitted to explain the purpose of the summons.
Additionally, Chief Minister KCR claimed that the BJP’s primary goal was to topple the nation’s non-BJP-ruled state governments. KCR revealed three hours of films in November during a news conference that contained “proof” that the BJP dispatched intermediaries to entice four ruling MLAs to switch allegiances by offering them lucrative contracts, Rs 100 crore, and prestigious appointments.
Following the publication of the film showing the BJP purportedly attempting to steal BRS MLAs, the BJP, however, refuted all the poaching charges and even referred to KCR as a “actor” in the “political field.”