TRS MP M Kavitha convicted in cash-for-votes case, gets six-month jail
The Telangana Rashtra Samithi leader and Mahabubabad MP, Kavitha Maloth, was sentenced to six months imprisonment on Saturday in a cash-for-votes case.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 25 July 2021 7:38 AM GMT
Hyderabad: The Telangana Rashtra Samithi leader and Mahabubabad MP, Kavitha Maloth, was sentenced to six months imprisonment on Saturday in a cash-for-votes case. She was found guilty of distributing money among voters during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The Special Court for trial of MPs/MLAs judge Varaprasad also imposed a fine of Rs. 10,000 against her and convicted one of her supporters, Shoukath Ali, on the same charge. They secured bail and got time to challenge the orders after paying the fine.
The case dates back to the 2019 general election when a flying squad of the Election Commission caught Ali and seized Rs. 10,000 from his possession in Burgampadu, Bhadradri Kothagudem district. He was caught distributing Rs. 500 to voters. He later confessed to having distributed money on behalf of Kavitha Maloth. A criminal case was registered against him and the Ms. Kavitha who later won the elections.
The court acquitted them of the charge under Section 188 (disobedience to order promulgated by public servant). However, they were convicted under Section 171B (bribery). They were given 30 days to appeal before the High Court.
Ms. Kavitha started her political career in 2009 as a member of the Legislative Assembly of the Congress party.
