HYDERABAD: It was a three-day operation that landed TDP MLA A Revanth Reddy and his two associates in the dragnet of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) in the cash-for-vote scam. Till May 31, when Revanth Reddy was caught handing over Rs 50 lakh to nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson, the investigators kept a watch on the movements of the MLA and his associates.
The investigators were privy to all the conversations made through mobile phone, SMSes and even Whatsapp messages which helped them lay a perfect trap to catch Revanth Reddy.
The details of how TDP contacted Stephenson, the initial offer of Rs 2 crore for the MLA to abstain from voting, how Revanth Reddy came into the scene and how he operated, were all listed out in the chargesheet filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) before the special judge for ACB cases. The copy of the same is in the possession of Express.
According to the chargesheet, Mathias Jerusalem, a functionary of TDP, made the first contact with Stephenson on May 28 at 9 a.m. with an invitation to attend an awareness programme for SC, ST, BC, Minorities and Christians on May 30 at Basheerbagh. The nominated MLA, who said he was preoccupied with other programmes, said he would get back to Jerusalem by 11 a.m. the same day.
Jerusalem, however, reached Stephenson’s house at New Bhoiguda by 10 a.m. itself and made the ‘offer.’ Jerusalem told the MLA that he was sent by TDP MLA A Revanth Reddy with an offer to give Rs 2 crore for abstaining from voting in the MLC elections and also he (Stephenson) will be provided with an air ticket to leave the country.
Jerusalem also said he would take him to Revanth Reddy, who in turn would take the nominated MLA to Chandrababu Naidu (TDP chief and AP CM).
To prove the point, investigators said the mobile tower location of mobile no 9290761702 (used by Jersualem) show that he (A4) was present in New Bhoiguda area.
As Stephenson did not show much interest in the offer, Jerusalem left the home of the nominated MLA. In less than one-and-half hour, another person Selvanadhan Anthony (listed as a witness in the case) along with A2 Harry Sebastian reached Stephenson’s house and after formal introduction, Anthony left the place.
“Sebastian introduced himself as an independent Church preacher at Erragadda and was sent by Chandrababu Naidu to negotiate with him for either abstaining from voting or cast his vote in favour of TDP candidate in the election,’’ the chargesheet said.
The mobile tower location of mobile phone (9394026000) also showed that Sebastian was present at New Bhoiguda area at that time, according to the chargesheet.
It was after Sebastian’s conversation that Stephenson formally lodged a complaint with ACB. For the next three days, Stephenson received SMSes from three different numbers (all belonging to Jerusalem) in which the latter asked the nominated MLA to make it (negotiation) final.
The next day, May 29, around 2 p.m., Stephenson received a Whatsapp message from Sebastian which read, “Praise Jesus Bro Elvis this is Bishop Sebastian TDP Christian Cell state president waiting for your valuable reply. God Bless You.’’
Stephenson replied saying that he has to attend a party meeting from 4 to 6 p.m. at TRS Bhavan. “I will be in touch and meet you later at my place,’’ Stephenson messaged back.
Finally, around 9 p.m., it was fixed that Revanth Reddy will come to Sebastian’s house the next day. It was then that the ACB officials fixed an iPhone for video and audio recording and through this device the entire conversation, which was later released to media, was recorded.
In this sitting, the deal was made and a figure of Rs 5 crore was fixed. Later, Chandrababu Naidu also spoke to Stephenson assuring “that is our commitment we will work together.’’
Naidu spoke to Stephenson using Sebastian’s mobile phone (9394326000). “The tower location of mobile no 9394026000 showed at Dhruvatara Apartments, Somajiguda which is adjacent to Lake View Guest House which is the camp office of Chief Minister of AP,’’ the ACB mentioned in the chargesheet.
By the same night, Sebastian took a new number (9000976929) and informed the same to Stephenson.
The next day, Sebastian called the MLA to fix a meeting to finalise the deal but changed the venue. As soon as the venue, the house of Malcolm Taylor’s mother, was fixed, the ACB officials swung into action and arranged an iPhone for audio-video recording and also three voice recorders at three places.
Further, to prove a point that the TDP is behind the entire episode, the ACB also mentioned that the absconding Jerusalem made a contact with the investigation officer. “Sorry sir, TDP party people advised me to switch off my mobile. I will call you in the morning please. Excuse, because I have to look after my bail expenses pls sir @jerusalem.’’
Though the officer asked Jersualem to come to office, Jerusalem did not turn up.
Unaware of the trap, Revanth Reddy set off from Airport Novotel Hotel, where the TD legislators were camped for the election, around 3.40 p.m. in his Scorpio. At 3.48 p.m., Revanth Reddy called Rudra Uday Simha (A3) and asked him to meet at Nagole Crossroads. Both met at Nagole and proceeded towards Uppal.
Sebastian joined at Uppal and along with Revanth went towards Tarnaka, while Uday Simha left towards Mettuguda and reached the house of Malcolm Taylor’s mother with the cash bag. Between that time, Revanth Reddy made six calls to Uday Simha within six minutes.
The ACB cited the FSL findings and call data to corraborate its investigation.
What Chandrababu Naidu said: “Manavallu, they briefed me, I am with you don’t bother, for everything I am with you, what all they spoke, we will honour, freely you can decide, no problem at all, that is our commitment we will work together.’’
