Mopidevi still ‘free’ bird

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Ministers and MLAs freely meeting arrested ex-minister Mopidevi Venkataramana, who is in CBI custody, at Dilkusha guest house is snowballing into a controversy. After minister Vatti Vasanth Kumar met Venka-taramana on Friday, ministers Anam Ramnarayana Reddy, Raghuveera Reddy, and legislator Venkatram Reddy tried to meet him on Saturday.

His family members too have met him over the past two days at the guest house, where he is lodged in room number 6. Legal experts are taking objection to the facilities and VIP treatment given to Venkataramana in police custody. Senior High Court advocate and NIA counsel Vishnuvardhan Reddy said, “Police custody ordered by a magistrate court in a particular criminal case is only for further investigation and collection of material evidence. Except this job the investigation agency has no other business like allowing private visitors unless it has the permission of the competent court. Otherwise it is illegal,”

Minister Raghuveera Reddy has booked Room No. 8 at Dilkusha guest house, which is adjacent Venkataramana’s Room No. 6; part of Dilkusha is still open for guests. Mr Raghuveera Reddy said, “We tried to meet him but we couldn’t.” Mr Ramnarayana Reddy denied meeting Venkataramana and said that he had gone to the guest house to meet Mr Raghuveera Reddy. Mr Vasanth Kumar had earlier said he had taken permission from CBI officials and had signed in the register.

Ex-minister Shankar Rao’s counsel C. Mallesh Rao said, “Ministers are openly supporting Mopi-devi and are meeting him in custody. This will have a bearing on the investigation.” Meanwhile, Venkataramana was allowed to get his clothes from A-1 drycleaners.