Confusion over missing mobile phone of Bandi; MP plans defamation against Warangal CP

HYDERABAD: Confusion is reigning supreme over the missing mobile phone of Telangana BJP State president Bandi Sanjay Kumar since his arrest on the intervening night of April 4 and 5 in connection with the SSC Hindi question paper leak case.

While the Warangal police intensified the probe into the case after issuing a notice to him, Sanjay lodged a complaint with the police stating that he had lost his mobile phone while being shifted to police station after taking him into preventive custody.

Contrary to his claim that he lost his mobile phone, Sanjay can be seen speaking over the phone at his residence in Karimnagar in the presence of two police officers. He was also seen holding the phone at Bomalaramaram police station where he was lodged for some time after taking him into preventive custody at his residence.

Former MP Boora Narsaiah Goud was also present beside Sanjay at the police station.

During the press conference addressed to condemn the arrest of Sanjay, Union Tourism Minister G Kishan Reddy said the former had his mobile and he spoke to him. Even senior BJP leader DK Aruna said, at a separate media interaction, she called Sanjay when he was in Bomalaramaram police station and spoke to him over phone.

Responding to the notice issued by the Warangal police, who are investigating the question paper leak case asking him personally to appear at the DCP’s office in Hanamkonda to hand over his mobile phone, Sanjay, in a letter to Kamalapur Inspector, asked to recall the notice and not to insist him to personally appear till the lost phone was retrieved and restored to him in accordance with law.

He also pointed out that in case the police failed to do so, it would become even more obvious that the act of issuing a notice was a colourful exercise of power and he would be free to take recourse to remedies available to him under the law.

Meanwhile, the Telangana High Court adjourned to April 21 the hearing on a petition challenging the judicial remand of Sanjay in the Hindi question paper leak case.

In his arguments, the Advocate-General said Sanjay was not cooperating with officers probing the case and failed to hand over his phone. The court then asked to file an affidavit in the case.

Meanwhile, Sanjay is exploring the possibility of filing a defamation suit against the Warangal Commissioner of Police A V Ranganath in connection with the case.