Revanth Reddy approaches HC for bail, quashing of drone case

Hyderabad: Congress Lok Sabha Member from Malkajgiri A Revanth Reddy on Thursday approached the Telangana High Court seeking bail in the case related to flying camera-fitted drone over IT minister KT Rama Rao’s farm house in Hyderabad outskirts.

Reddy, who is also the working president of the Pradesh Congress Committee, filed two separate petitions in the High Court (HC) seeking quashing of the case and the bail pending trial.

The MP, along with seven others, has been accused of using a drone to take photographs of state IT minister KTR’ farmhouse and the surrounding areas at Miyakhangadda village.

In the first petition, he sought bail in the case registered in Narsingi police station under sections 188, 287, 109, 115, 201, 120(b) of IPC and Sections 11(A) R/W 5A of the Aircraft Act.

In another petition, he urged the court to quash the case and grant stay on further proceedings.

The petitions were filed by senior High Court advocate T Rajinikanth Reddy.

In his bail plea, Reddy said that the sub-inspector of Narsingi police station had arrested him without issuing any notice under section 41 CrPC and denied him the opportunity to meet his lawyer.

He said that the Narsingi police violated all the principles of law and acted contrary to the provisions of CrPC in clear violation of his rights as a citizen and an MP.

Reddy noted that he was prevented from attending the ongoing parliament session and his privileges were violated by the police.

Congress state working president said since the offences pressed against him are punishable with less than seven years of punishment, notice under section 41 of CrPC was mandatory as declared by the Supreme Court in Arnesh Kumar versus the State of Bihar.

“The arrest is totally illegal and contrary to the judgment of the Supreme Court in DK. Basu Vs State of West Bengal case. Since the arrest itself is illegal, the trial court ought to have rejected the remand on March 5,” he said in his petition.

Reddy said though he was prepared to furnish personal surety before the police station and the court at the time of remand, he was not granted bail.

On March 5, Reddy was remanded to judicial custody. His bail application was rejected by the trial court on March 11 prompting him to approach the High Court. Reddy is currently lodged in Cherlapally jail.

Quash case against Revanth Reddy: Congress leaders

Senior advocate and veteran Congress leader Salman Khurshid appeared on behalf of Revanth Reddy, who, through his counsel, sought quashing of the case registered against him and also to grant him bail. The matter has been posted for March 17.

Meanwhile, Congress MPs raised his issue in the Lok Sabha on Friday. They termed Revanth’s arrest and cases against him as illegal. TRS member Nama Nageswara Rao countered it by telling the House, that Revanth Reddy was booked for using a drone camera and taking pictures of a farmhouse belonging to State Minister KT Rama Rao. He said such acts were illegal.

“Being an MP, Mr Revanth Reddy should be aware of the laws and as per the Aircraft Act, using drone cameras is a violation of law,” he told the House.

Meanwhile, Congress MPs moved an adjournment motion on Friday seeking a debate on the Revanth issue. They alleged that the Telangana Government was willfully obstructing his release. The Speaker assured to look into the matter once he gets complete information on the issue.