VV Lakshminarayana, CBI joint director, who shot into limelight for the manner in which he dealt with high-profile cases like Kadapa MP YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s alleged illegal assets, was on Friday repatriated to his cadre State, Maharashtra, after a seven-year stint in the investigating agency’s State unit.
His transfer came as no surprise as it had been on the cards for some time. Though he was initially posted here for a period of five years, his term was extended for two more years since investigations he was heading were incomplete. This time, though, his term was not extended as seven years of deputation is the maximum allowed to Central government officials. His responsibility was handed over to Chennai CBI Joint Director Arunachalam. Lakshminarayana, who started his career as superintendent of police of Nanded in Maharashtra, had worked with the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) before being posted as Director General of Police (DIG) in Hyderabad on June 12, 2006.
The 1990 batch IPS officer from Srisailam has left an indelible mark on the State handling as he did several tough assignments, including the Satyam scam. Interestingly, a plea was filed in the high court seeking his retention in Hyderabad. Known to be a low-key man, Lakshminarayana is said to be perfect when it comes to legal documentation.
In Emaar, OMC illegal iron ore mining and Jagan assets cases, the documentation ran into thousands of pages and officials said it was possible only because of him.
He arrested mining baron Gali Janardhan Reddy from the latter’s bastion, Bellary, which was a shocker for the latter and his henchmen. Another sensational aspect of his stint was the probe into the cash-for-bail scam in which a couple of sitting and retired judges were sent to jail. They were allegedly bribed to grant bail to Gali Janardhan.
He also has to his credit the arrest of one minister and charge-sheeting of two others which sent shock waves across all layers of the government and political circles in the State.
However, Lakshminarayana had to face criticism when it came to Jagan case. His credibility was questioned when the YSRC revealed his call data. But he has a fan following still in the social media.