MLA poaching case: SIT summons BJP's BL Santhosh for questioning; party moves HC

Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged TRS MLAs poaching case has issued a notice to BJP National General Secretary Bommarabettu Laxmijanardhana Santhosh.

He has been asked to appear before SIT on November 21 for questioning in Hyderabad. This is the second notice issued to a BJP functionary in the case.

Earlier, Kerala-based, Tushar Vellapally was issued a notice and asked to appear before SIT on November 21. Telangana police also conducted raids in Kollam, Kerala.

Telangana government constituted a Special Investigation headed by Hyderabad Commissioner of Police C.V.Anand.

The SIT has taken up the investigation from Cyberabad Police Commissionerate. Telangana High Court had passed orders that a Judge shall monitor the investigation. On the basis of material, the SIT will submit details in sealed cover from time to time.

BJP top functionary B L Santhosh is said to be the man behind the toppling of the Udhav Thackrey-led Maharashtra government. He has been asked to appear before SIT on November 21 at its Banjara Hills office.

B L Santhosh has been asked to bring the mobile phone without tampering or deleting any information in the device from the time of receipt of this notice and any other electronic device.

Meanwhile, Telangana BJP has knocked at the door of the high court seeking a stay on SIT notice against Santosh.

In an Interim Application, BJP submitted that SIT has been trying to extract names of individuals from the accused who are in no way concerned with the case.

The petitioner said they have learned through some media channels that summons are being issued to several persons in connection with the case. The petitioner said names have been allegedly disclosed despite the directions.

The petitioner said leaking names to media channels shows the lack of transparency and probity in the investigation.

The BJP said SIT has been issuing notices to party functionaries who are in no way connected with the case. The petitioner said notices are aimed to harass them under the guise of investigation.

"There is every apprehension that the persons served summons would be subjected to harassment and ill-treatment," the petitioner said.

Moreover, the petitioner alleged that the procedure adopted is nothing but overreaching the order passed by the High Court.

The BJP said if the interim order is not granted, then there would be irreparable hardship rendering fair investigation a casualty. The notices issued by SIT are without any basis and aimed to harass, humiliate and tarnish the image of the petitioner and its functionaries.