A special CBI court on Thursday dismissed Kadapa MP Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s interim anticipatory bail petition stating that his apprehension about being arrested was nothing but a fixation that had risen due to the ill advice of his companions.
The court pointed out that if the anticipatory bail was granted, there were possibilities that the YSR Congress chief might turn hostile and refuse to appear before the CBI on May 25 or refuse to answer questions regarding his alleged disproportionate assets.
CBI’s counsel D.L. Ravindranath stated there had been recent developments in the case such as the arrest of industrialist Nimmagadda Prasad and bureaucrat Brahmananda Reddy on May 15. It was also pointed out that investigating officials had come acr-oss substantial proof during the duo’s interrogation. “We have substantial reasons to question Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy and ascertain facts and circumstances. That is why the notice has been sent,” he said.
Jagan arrest fear misplaced: Court
Kadapa MP Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy had filed the interim anticipatory bail petition in the court on Thursday stating that he feared that he would be arrested by the CBI to prevent him from campaigning for the upcoming bypolls. Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy’s counsel Sushil Kumar requested interim anticipatory bail on the grounds that he was the YSR Congress president, candidates of which were contesting in 18 Assembly constituencies. Mr Kumar pointed out that though the case was registered on August 18, 2011, the CBI had not felt the need to summon to the Kadapa MP for investigation till now. “Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy has huge stakes in the elections. Moreover, he is a sitting Member of Parliament. He has been summoned to appear before the CBI on May 25, even though he was summoned by the court to appear on May 28. This indicates mischief on CBI’s part,” the counsel said.
Dismissing the petition, the judge said that the apprehension that he might be arrested now was only a fear complex or phobia created by the ill advice of the MP’s companions. The court also said that though Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy was accused No. 1 in the case, CBI had not arrested him even during crucial stages of the probe.