Vijayawada: Speaker Tammineni Sitaram defends manner of Atchannaidu's arrest

Vijayawada: State Assembly Speaker Tammineni Sitaram has made it clear that the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) department has followed all the procedures in the arrest of Tekkali MLA and senior TDP leader K Atchannaidu in Srikakulam district on June 12.

The Speaker said the ACB had collected clear evidence before the arrest of Atchannaidu in connection with the ESI scam, involving several hundred crores.

Tammineni spoke to the media at the R and B office here on Saturday following allegations that the ACB had not followed the rules and even failed to inform the Speaker before arresting Atchannaidu. He said he received information from the Deputy Director of the ACB, Vijayawada, from the superintendent of the District jail, Vijayawada and the office of the court of Special Judge, ACB cases, Vijayawada on the arrest of Atchannaidu.

When asked why the ACB failed to inform the Speaker prior to the arrest of the TDP leader, the Speaker questioned how the ACB could inform him in advance. He said the MLA may not be at home and so they informed him later after arresting the TDP MLA.

Tammineni said the ACB had secured clear information that many irregularities were committed in purchase of medicines under the TDP rule. He said the police were investigating how much money was involved in the ESI scam.

He said those found guilty of indulging in irregularities will not be spared. He said ACB is a Constitutional body and would explore options to arrest those facing charges. He said the police would investigate on how the criminals had spent the ill-gotten money and where they had deposited it.

Incorrect to say a BC leader was targeted: Referring to the allegations levelled by the TDP leaders that Atchannaidu was kidnapped and arrested by the police and the government was targeting a BC leader, the Speaker said the ACB secured proof that the ex-Minister was involved in the scam and hence they arrested him and it has no link with the caste he represented.

He alleged that the TDP was insulting all BCs in the State by making baseless allegations against the State government. He condemned the comments made by TDP leaders that Atchannaidu was treated like a bandit. He said most workers hail from weaker sections, BCs, SCs, STs and Minorities and their money was swindled in the ESI scam.