HYDERABAD: In a huge relief to YSR Congress president Jagan Mohan Reddy, the Special CBI Court on Friday dismissed the petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation seeking cancellation of bail granted to Jagan who was accused number one (A1) in the disproportionate assets case.
Earlier, an interview of prime prosecution witness P Ramakanth Reddy, retired IAS officer and former chief secretary during YS Rajasekhara Reddy government, in Sakshi TV channel was heard by the court during the case hearing.
The CBI counsel contended that the A1 consciously flouted the bail conditions laid down while enlarging him on bail in Sept 2013 after 16 months in prison.
Telecasting the interview of the former chief secretary in the channel controlled by Jagan was with the sole motto to dissuade or otherwise influence the other witnesses from testifying against him during the trial. The counsel alleged that the said interview was intended to scuttle the prosecution case against Jagan.
On the other hand, Jagan’s counsel refuted the allegations levelled against his client by the CBI saying that he do not have any correlation directly or indirectly with the conduct of the subject interview. Saying that Jagan has compliantly abided by all the conditions from the time he has been released on bail, he urged the court to dismiss the CBI petition as the issues mentioned were imaginary and far from truth.
Jagan’s counsel contended that Sakshi TV is not under the management of Jagati Publications as alleged by the CBI. Indira Television Private Limited is a corporate entity which has the exclusive rights and administrative control over “Sakshi TV” and that there is no direct or indirect management of the said company by Jagan. Agreeing with the submissions of the Jagan’s counsel, the Special Court refused to cancel the bail granted to Jagan.
As for the plea of Jagan to visit New Zealand, the special court granted permission to him to visit the place with his family between May 15 and June 15.
It may be recalled that the CBI had arrested Jagan in the disproportionate assets case on May 27, 2012 and filed 11 charge sheets against him and others in the case.
It charged that various companies and individuals had made huge investments in the companies owned by Jagan as part of quid pro quo deal when his father YS Rajasekhara Reddy was the CM of the erstwhile united AP.The case was adjourned to June 9 for further hearing.