News: Emaar scam accused moves HC, seeks halt to ED framing charges-02-01-2022
Though the CBI made Ranga Rao an accused in the Emaar case and also arrayed his firm, Stylish Homes, as the accused entity, he had turned an approver for the CBI.
HYDERABAD: An accused in the Emaar scam case, Tummala Ranga Rao, who later turned an approver, has approached the high court questioning the action of the ED.
Though the CBI made Ranga Rao an accused in the Emaar case and also arrayed his firm, Stylish Homes, as the accused entity, he had turned an approver for the CBI. He deposed before the CBI and also before a magistrate under section 164 of CrPC and narrated all that he knew about the sale of villas, money transactions, etc. Later, the trial court deleted his name and also his firm’s name from the list of accused.
Now, the ED has made Ranga Rao an accused in the case. He filed a petition challenging the action of the ED and contended that the CBI case was the basis for the ED case. The high court may hear the matter next week
“When the CBI itself has removed the case against me, the ED cannot continue the same,” he said. “After I turned as an approver, the CBI has made me its witness. I am no more an accused. It would be ok if the ED also makes me a witness. But it made me an accused without any basis,” Ranga Rao said.
The CBI court, which is also hearing the ED cases, has already granted Ranga Rao a pardon. “A tender of pardon would discharge me of all existing charges,” he added.
Urging the court to stop the proceedings before the ED court which is all set to frame charges against him and his firm in the chargesheet filed by the ED against them, Ranga Rao filed the plea before the high court.
“It has already passed a cognisance order against me and my firm which is not in tune with the law,” he said urging the court to stay the process before the trial court.
