The Telangana High Court on Wednesday directed the government counsel to place on record full details in a petition filed by actress Ashu Reddy seeking to quash a criminal case registered against her by the Central Crime Station.
The case was registered following a complaint by the father of a London-based software engineer, who alleged that Ashu Reddy, also known as Venkata Ashwini Reddy Koyya, misappropriated Rs 9.35 crore on the promise of marrying his son. The CCS police named the actress and her family members in the case.
Challenging the FIR, Ashu Reddy contended that the allegations, even if accepted in entirety, do not disclose any cognisable offence. She argued that there was no fraudulent inducement or false promise of marriage, and maintained that the complainant, a non-resident Indian, had voluntarily spent money to persuade her and her family to agree to the alliance.
She submitted that such financial transactions, in the absence of any enforceable agreement or misrepresentation, do not attract criminal liability. She further stated that neither she nor her family members could be held responsible for the complainant’s unilateral actions.
During the hearing, Additional Public Prosecutor Jitender Rao sought time to collect relevant details and place them before the court. Accepting the request, the High Court adjourned the matter to May 4 for further hearing.
HC: No sanction shield for public servant in corruption, money laundering
The Telangana High Court has held that a public servant accused of demanding illegal gratification, possessing disproportionate assets and engaging in money laundering cannot seek protection under Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure to avoid prosecution.
Justice N. Tukaramji observed that such acts are inherently criminal and fall outside the scope of official duties. The court said they cannot be construed as actions performed in discharge of official functions.
The ruling came on a writ petition filed by Vanimisetty Gopala Reddy, who sought to quash money laundering proceedings initiated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He contended that prior sanction under Section 197 CrPC was mandatory as the alleged acts were linked to his official duties.
Rejecting the contention, the court held that the statutory protection applies only when there is a reasonable nexus between the act complained of and official duty. It said corruption-related offences facilitated by official position do not qualify for such protection.
The case stems from a 2010 investigation by the CBI, which alleged that Gopala Reddy demanded and accepted a bribe of Rs 10,000 and held assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. He was convicted by a trial court but acquitted by the High Court in 2014. A Special Leave Petition against the acquittal is pending before the Supreme Court.
Based on the predicate offence, the ED initiated proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, alleging that the petitioner and his family laundered proceeds of crime by acquiring assets and projecting them as legitimate. Charges under the Act were framed in March 2025.
Dismissing the petition, the High Court declined to quash the proceedings pending before the special PMLA court at Nampally.
HC closes contempt case on Chief Secretary
Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao appeared before the Telangana High Court on Wednesday in connection with a contempt case dating back to his tenure as Principal Secretary of the Finance and Planning departments.
The case arose from a petition filed by part-time sweepers of the irrigation department in Suryapet district, who have been seeking fair wages since 2018. In January 2023, the High Court directed the state government to grant them minimum time-scale pay along with increments.
Alleging delay in implementation of the order, the workers filed a contempt petition in December 2023. The court subsequently summoned officials of the irrigation department and the then finance secretary after compliance remained pending despite multiple hearings and assurances.
Appearing before the court, Ramakrishna Rao submitted that the orders had been complied with. Taking note of the compliance and his presence, the High Court closed the contempt proceedings.
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