HYDERABAD: Justice K Lakshman of the Telangana High Court has exempted BJP MP Eatala Rajender from personal appearance in a criminal case filed against him for allegedly organising a political rally during the Covid-19 pandemic, in violation of official restrictions.
While directing complainant and former Karimnagar ZP chairperson Thula Uma to file a counter affidavit, Justice Lakshman adjourned the matter to July 10 for further hearing.
Rajender had approached the high court seeking quashing of the criminal proceedings initiated against him and other BJP workers. The case stems from an incident on June 8, 2021, when a political rally was allegedly conducted from Shambhunipally village to Kamalapur involving a large gathering of vehicles and supporters, reportedly without prior permission and in violation of Covid protocols.
Meanwhile, Justice Lakshman also granted exemption from personal appearance to fellow BJP MP M Raghunandan Rao in connection with a criminal case filed against him for alleged violation of Covid-19 regulations during a protest in 2020. The judge adjourned the matter to July 10.
Raghunandan moved the high court, seeking quashing of the criminal proceedings pending before the special court designated for cases involving MPs and MLAs in Hyderabad. The case pertains to an incident on August 24, 2020, when Raghunandan and several BJP workers reportedly assembled in Dubbaka, holding saffron flags and protesting against the then state government’s restrictions on Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations amid the Covid pandemic.