Cash-for-vote case, involving former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Revanth Reddy and Elvis Stephenson, was a big sensation in Telugu states.
On May 31, 2015, Revanth Reddy, then in TDP, was arrested by the ACB while allegedly giving a Rs 50 lakh bribe to Elvis Stephenson, a nominated MLA, for supporting TDP nominee Vem Narendar Reddy in the Legislative Council elections held on June 1, 2015.
As a part of the investigation, Stephenson has now told the ACB Special Court that he had spoken to Chandrababu and also revealed that the latter had assured him that he would pay him more if he voted for the TDP candidate in the MLC elections.
Stephenson recorded his statement on Monday by ACB Special Court Judge Sambha Siva Rao Naidu as part of the hearing in the cash for vote case. He confirmed that he heard the audio of Chandrababu talking on the phone while playing in the court. ACB officials also confirmed the video and audio footage recorded while giving the bribe.
Another eyewitness Markam Taylor has also recorded his statement with the court and confirmed the involvement of former CM Chandrababu. The court issued summons to Mark Taylor’s daughter, another eyewitness who witnessed the bribery, to testify. The next hearing is adjourned to May 7.