SC Allows Elvis Stephenson to Make Fresh Submissions in 2015 Cash-for-Vote Case

The Supreme Court on Monday granted permission to former nominated MLA Elvis Stephenson to make additional submissions in the 2015 cash-for-vote case currently pending before the apex court in Hyderabad.

A bench headed by the Chief Justice of India took up Stephenson's application and adjourned the matter for further hearing after allowing the request.

Stephenson, who is the primary complainant in the case, had approached the court seeking permission to present his submissions and advance further arguments. His counsel told the bench that hearing his contentions was vital to ensure a fair consideration of the overall matter.

The case dates back to the Telangana Legislative Council elections conducted in June 2015. The Telangana Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) had registered a case following allegations that then Telugu Desam MLA A. Revanth Reddy, who is currently the Chief Minister of Telangana, had offered a bribe.

According to the allegations probed by the ACB, an advance amount of Rs 50 lakh was offered to Stephenson in an effort to secure his vote in favour of the Telugu Desam candidate during the council polls.

Following the bench's decision to accept the application for additional submissions, the Supreme Court deferred the proceedings and scheduled the case for further hearing.