HC strikes down CBI petition on Dharmana

Hyderabad, April 29 : Roads and Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao got a great relief with the High Court striking down CBI petition on the prosecution of the minister.

The CBI has filed a memo stating that there need be any permission to prosecute Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao. The High Court has struck down the CBI court ruling that there need not be any permission to prosecute the minister. The lower court had earlier ruled that permission need not be taken to prosecute the minister.

Dharmana Prasada Rao challenged the verdict of the lower court in the High Court and got a favourable ruling.

Dharmana, was named in the Vanpic scam. He resigned immediately on being named in the charge sheet. The Government did not accept his resignation. Instead, the cabinet took a decision that he cannot be prosecuted as he holds a public office. The cabinet decision was sent to the governor, who in turn had returned saying that legal opinion should be taken.

He also started attending the office and CBI had contended that the offence (Vanpic scandal) broke while he was Revenue minister and as the house was dissolved, he has lost the status of a public servant. He was re-elected and got a different portfolio is different matter.

Dharmana counsel contended that he is a public servant even if his portfolio is changed. The court decision comes as a relief to Dharmana Prasada Rao. INN