The CBI on Friday sought judicial custody of former Andhra Pradesh ministers Sabitha Indra Reddy and Dharmana Prasada Rao, who had lost their Cabinet berths after being chargesheeted in the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy disproportionate assets case.
The agency contended before a CBI special court that the ministers could influence witnesses, if not sent to judicial custody.
To buttress its argument, the CBI, through its counsel B Ravindranath, submitted video clippings of press conferences addressed by the duo, in which they had claimed innocence and expressed confidence that they would be absolved of all charges.
While Dharmana, revenue minister in the erstwhile Y S Rajasekhara Reddy government, was named an accused in the CBI chargesheet pertaining to the Vanpic land allotment, Sabitha, mines minister in the same dispensation, was listed an accused for her role in the allocation of mining leases to certain cement companies.
Sabitha was composed and calm during her hour-long stay in the court and left as soon as the hearing was over, but not before exchanging pleasantries with Jagan. Emotional scenes unfolded in the court hall when Jagan met his family members. His mother Vijayalakshmi burst into tears at his sight and embraced him.
Supporters of Jagan and Sabitha jostled to catch a glimpse of the two and gatecrashed into the court hall, leading to utter chaos.
Principal Special Judge U Durga Prasad Rao, annoyed with the unruly scenes, warned lawyers of the accused that they might lose the court’s sympathy, if they continued to make a scene.