TS HC gives state final chance to file reply to Revanth Reddy's PIL on 2017 drugs case

The court issued the directions while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Malkajgiri MP and senior Congress leader A. Revanth Reddy.

In 2017, Mr. Reddy had moved the High Court seeking directions to the state government to hand over the investigation into the drugs case to Central agencies like the Enforcement Directorate, the CBI, the Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEBI), and the Narcotics Control Bureau. He had said that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Prohibition and Excise department constituted by the state was ill-equipped to investigate the case.

Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has informed the court that it had written to the commissioner of the Prohibition and Excise department on 20 November requesting for certified copies of the FIRs registered by them in 2017, charge sheets filed in the court, and other relevant information and documents.

"However, this department has not received any reply or data till date from the Prohibition and Excise department, Telangana, in this regard," the ED stated in the affidavit filed before the court.

The ED also appealed to the court to direct the state Prohibition and Excise department to provide all necessary assistance to the agency like sharing certified copies of the FIRs, charge sheets, statements recorded, digital evidences seized, and all other relevant documents in respect of the 12 FIRs registered by the department in July and August 2017.

Mr. Reddy's counsel, B. Rachana Reddy, informed the court that the state government has been delaying filing the counter on their petition for the past three years.

After hearing the arguments, the court directed the state to file its counter in the case and adjourned the hearing to 17 December.