Revanth Reddy appears in court over alleged COVID-19 violations during 2021 bypoll campaign
Hyderabad: Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy appeared before the Special Court for MPs and MLAs at Nampally on Thursday in connection with alleged COVID-19 violations during the 2021 Nagarjuna Sagar Assembly by-election campaign.
The case concerns allegations that Revanth Reddy failed to follow prescribed COVID-19 safety precautions during an election campaign on April 11, 2021. The campaign took place at Chalakurthi village in Pedda Adiserlapalli (Peddavura) mandal of Nalgonda district.
During Thursday’s proceedings, the court recorded statements under Section 313 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC). Revanth Reddy attended the hearing to record his statement as an accused in the case.
Revanth Reddy court appearance linked to 2021 campaign
The case arose from allegations concerning the election campaign held ahead of the Nagarjuna Sagar Assembly by-election in April 2021. Revanth Reddy, who was then serving as Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) president, participated in the campaign.
According to the allegations, he violated COVID-19 safety protocols by not wearing a face mask during the election-related activity. The case also involves allegations that he failed to comply with other prescribed precautions intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The alleged violations occurred on April 11, 2021, at Chalakurthi village in Nalgonda district. Authorities subsequently registered a case concerning the alleged breach of pandemic-related safety regulations.
Special court records statement under Section 313 CrPC
The Revanth Reddy court appearance formed part of the ongoing trial proceedings before the Special Court for MPs and MLAs in Hyderabad. During the hearing, the court undertook the procedure of recording statements of the accused under Section 313 of the CrPC.
The provision allows an accused person to respond to circumstances appearing in the evidence presented during a criminal trial. Accordingly, Revanth Reddy appeared before the court to provide his statement regarding the allegations connected with the 2021 campaign.
The proceedings concerned the alleged failure to observe COVID-19 precautions during the Nagarjuna Sagar Assembly by-election campaign. The case dates back to the period when Revanth Reddy headed the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee, before becoming Chief Minister. Thursday’s hearing involved recording his statement as part of the trial process. The source report did not specify the court’s next hearing date.