HC: Advocate commissioner to record evidence in Srinivas Goud’s election case

Hyderabad: The Telangana High Court has decided to appoint an advocate commissioner to record the evidence of the petitioner and Srinivas Goud, in the case challenging the election of the MLA and minister to the Telangana government.

A Single Bench of Justice M Lakshman on Thursday heard both counsels who provided names for the role of advocate commissioners. The judge said that the advocate commissioner will be appointed on August 11.

The court was hearing the Election Petition filed by Chaluvagali Raghavendra Raju, resident of BK Reddy Colony in Mahabubnagar district, seeking a direction to declare the election of Srinivas Goud to the Mahabubnagar Assembly Constituency in 2018 general elections as ‘invalid’.

The petitioner alleged that Srinivas Goud suppressed and concealed information in the election affidavit and hence violated the RP Act and election rules.

The petitioner said that information regarding immovable property acquired by Goud’s wife, a mortgage loan of Rs 127 lakhs from Grameena Vikas Bank in Mahbubnagar, and other bank accounts of his wife was concealed in the affidavit furnished before the returning officer.

The petitioner further alleged that Srinivas Goud committed malpractice in collusion with the returning officer, who replaced the affidavit submitted in Form No 26 along with nomination papers, which were found defective.

The case was adjourned to August 11.