The Andhra Pradesh high court on Wednesday ordered restoration of security cover to Telugu Desam Party legislator from Uravakonda and Public Accounts Committee chairman Payyavula Keshav.
A high court bench headed by Justice K Srinivas Reddy directed that the government initially provide one plus one security to Keshav, which would be enhanced to two-plus-two.
The court also asked the TDP MLA to suggest five to six names of security personnel among whom two personnel would be appointed as his security guards.
The high court set aside the objection of the state government counsel in asking Kesav himself to suggest the names of the security personnel. It pulled up the state government for not filing the counter-affidavit on Keshav’s petition.
On February 8, the high court notices to the state government directing to file counter affidavit on a petition filed by the TDP MLA seeking directions to restore two+two security to him.
Keshav moved the high court challenging removal of security to him by the police department in July last year. The TDP leader criticised that his security was removed only after he gave an explanation to the government about the phone tapping incident.
Arguing on behalf of him, senior counsel Posani Venkateswarlu said that in view of the threat from Maoist extremists, security is being provided to Keshav since 1994 after he won as MLA from Uravakonda.
Venkateswarlu said the present government reduced security cover from two+two to one+one. Later, from July 2022, security has been completely removed putting the life of the petitioner in danger.