Telangana high court clears Ibrahimpatnam polls amid kidnapping row, ends standoff

Hyderabad: Telangana high court on Wednesday cleared the way for elections to the chairman and vice-chairman posts of Ibrahimpatnam municipality, vacating its earlier stay amid allegations of kidnapping and coercion involving a councillor. The court disposed of a habeas corpus petition after the councillor was produced before it and allowed the election process to continue."Elections should be meant for the public, not for such unfair politics," the court observed while ending the high drama surrounding the polls. A division bench of Justices Moushumi Bhattacharya and G Praveen Kumar discontinued the stay granted on Tuesday, thereby permitting the election to proceed.
The order came while hearing a habeas corpus plea seeking the production of Akula Yadagiri, a BRS councillor who was allegedly kidnapped. Yadagiri, elected on a BRS ticket, accused former MLA Manchireddy Kishan Reddy and his son Prashanth Reddy of kidnapping him. Yadagiri claims tortureAppearing in court, Yadagiri alleged he was confined to resorts in Ongole and Tukkuguda, where he was tortured, denied food and stripped of his mobile phone to prevent him from contesting the chairman's post. Justice Kumar translated his Telugu testimony for Justice Bhattacharya. In compliance with earlier directions, Yadagiri was first produced before amicus curiae A Ramakrishna Reddy at his residence and then before the court. Special govt pleader Swaroop Oorilla informed the bench that Yadagiri's statement to the amicus indicated he had been physically and mentally tortured allegedly by the former MLA and his son.‘BRS has majority'Counsel for Kishan Reddy, however, denied the allegations, contending that Yadagiri had voluntarily participated in the municipal council meeting and the election. He argued that no complaint was made to election authorities or police present at the venue and offered to produce video evidence, adding that the BRS enjoyed a clear majority regardless of Yadagiri's vote. However, when questioned by the court, Yadagiri said he had been threatened and coerced by a rival faction within his own party. He clarified that earlier statements to the media claiming voluntary participation were made under duress.Senior counsel L Ravi Chander, appearing for the vice-chairman candidate, submitted that the habeas corpus petition had become infructuous since Yadagiri had been produced before the court. In contrast, A Venkatesh, counsel for Yadagiri's son, argued that the election could not be considered free and fair due to the alleged coercion. Serious chargesRecording these submissions, the bench noted that although serious allegations had been raised regarding transparency and undue influence, such issues fell outside the limited scope of a habeas corpus petition. "The alleged lack of transparency in the proposed election is a matter which must be pursued in a different forum," the court observed. The bench set Yadagiri at liberty and directed both police and individuals not to threaten or pressure him. It also ordered authorities to ensure the immediate return of his mobile phone. The bench also directed the authorities to ensure that Yadagiri is issued his election winning certificate without delay, after he informed the court that he had not yet received the document confirming his victory.