Andhra Pradesh, Telangana Leaders Appear in Vijayawada Court in 2007 Case

Several political leaders from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana appeared before the Special Court for People's Representatives in Vijayawada today in connection with a case registered in 2007. The case dates back to the leaders’ visit to inspect the Obulapuram mines in the D. Hirehal Mandal of Anantapur district during the united Andhra Pradesh era.

Initially, 21 individuals were charged in the case, but three of them have passed away during the investigation. The court had previously directed all surviving accused to be present for the hearing.

Among those who appeared in court were Andhra Pradesh Minister Kinjarapu Atchannaidu, former ministers Nagam Janardhan Reddy, Errabelli Dayakar Rao, Devineni Uma Maheswara Rao, Chinarajappa, Padala Aruna, Amarnath Reddy, Vem Narender Reddy, Chinnam Babu Ramesh, Kollu Lalitha Kumari, Bomma Narayana Rao, Masala Padmaja, Poola Nagaraju, Mullangi Ramakrishna Reddy, Gurumurthy, Mettu Govind Reddy, and Yalamanchili Babu Rajendraprasad.

Of these, Errabelli Dayakar Rao, Nagam Janardhan Reddy, and Vem Narender Reddy are currently based in Telangana. During their visit to Vijayawada for the hearing, the leaders were seen warmly greeting old acquaintances.

At the time of the incident, all the leaders were members of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). On July 21, 2007, they visited the Obulapuram mining site, which later led to police filing cases against them. Addressing the court today, the accused stated that the allegations were baseless and emphasized that they had not committed any wrongdoing.

The court has adjourned further hearings to January 8, 2024.