AP HC stays proceedings against CM

Hyderabad (PTI): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and several television channels have got a reprive with the High Court staying proceedings for alleged violation of model code of conduct during the recent byelections.
Various TV channels had beamed Reddy's press conferences live, a day ahead of the May 29 bypolls.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice A R Dave and Justice R Subhash Reddy stayed the proceedings while admitting a public interest petition filed by B Govinda Reddy, E Giri Yadav, Shreya Broadcasting and NTV Television Network.
The petitioners said the chief minister addressed the press conference in wide public interest and the contents of telecast elaborated on various schemes of the government.
All the prosecution initiated at the instance of the Election Commission is contrary to section 197 of the CrPC, they said.
The petitioners also contended that EC's action to initiate criminal action against the chief minister is affecting credibility of the state administration.
The court said the Election Commission could not have ordered for such prosecution and stayed all further proceedings various lower courts.
The Election Commission and the state's chief electoral officer have been asked to submit their response within three weeks.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
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