Telangana High Court Extends Protection for MLA Harish Rao
The Telangana High Court, led by Justice Kunuru Lakshman, has extended the interim protection from arrest for Siddipet MLA T. Harish Rao until January 28. This protection was initially granted on December 5, 2024, in connection with an FIR registered against Rao.
Senior counsel J. Ramchander Rao, representing Harish Rao, informed the court that the investigating officer, ACP S. Mohan Kumar of Panjagutta, had filed a counter-affidavit in response to Rao’s plea to quash the FIR. The FIR, numbered 1205/2024, was filed under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and the IT Act. The counsel requested additional time to respond to the counter-affidavit and sought continued protection from arrest until the next hearing.
The case stems from a complaint lodged by Gadhagoni Chakradhar Goud, who alleged that Rao misused his position to have the SIB police tap Goud’s phone and place his family under surveillance. Goud claimed this was done because of Rao’s resentment over Goud’s growing popularity in Siddipet due to social welfare initiatives.
The court had earlier extended the protection on January 9 and January 10. The next hearing on the matter has been scheduled for January 28, with interim protection granted to Rao until then.
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Bar Council Elections: Telangana HC Seeks Schedule
In a separate case, the Telangana High Court single bench of Justice Bollam Vijaysen Reddy has asked the Bar Council of India (BCI) and the Bar Council of Telangana (BCT) to submit a schedule for holding elections to the BCT. The council’s term, including an extended period, has already expired.
The court heard a writ petition filed by advocate Kokkula Ashok, who urged the court to direct the councils to conduct elections. The BCI’s counsel stated that the verification of certificates of practice is ongoing and that the BCI has the authority to extend the term of BCT members beyond five years.
Justice Reddy has adjourned the case to January 31 and directed the BCI and BCT to present the election schedule by then.
