Sabita was let off after she had furnished two sureties of Rs 25,000 each and the matter was posted for hearing on June 21.
Taking cognizance of the fifth charge sheet filed by the CBI, the special court dealing with CBI cases issued summons to Sabita and 12 others, directing them to appear before it on Friday.
Sabita is the fourth in the list of 13 accused named in the latest charge-sheet filed by the investigating agency in the special court. She is the third minister after Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao and Dharmana Prasada Rao to face charges in the assets case. She appeared very composed and calm and was silent during her about one- hour stay in the court hall. She left the court as soon as the hearing was over.
Jaganmohan Reddy, who has been in judicial custody and lodged in the Chanchalguda central prison, was produced in the court by the jail authorities amidst tight security.
Dalmia Cements managing director Puneet Dalmia, Eswar Cements managing director Sajjala Diwakar Reddy, former industries and commerce secretary Y Srilakshmi, former director of mines VD Rajagopal, Jagan’s financial adviser V Vijay Sai Reddy, Sanjay S. Mishra, Neelkamal Bedi and Jaideep Basu also appeared in the court.
Principal special judge of the CBI court U Durga Prasad Rao personally verified the appearance of all the accused. Srilakshmi, who was brought to the court in an ambulance from the prison by the jail authorities, could not physically appear before the judge due to medical reasons. Her presence was verified by a court superintendent on the direction of the judge.
After going through the case the judge posted the matter for June 21.
Dalmia Cements has been charged with making investments in Jagan’s companies as a quid-pro-quo arrangement for getting benefits (mining lease) from the government headed by YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
The CBI believes it was one of the several ‘quid pro quo deals’ under which the government of Rajasekhara Reddy granted favours to companies and individuals who invested in the businesses of his son Jagan.
Dalmia Cements invested Rs 50 crore in Raghuram Cements (renamed as Bharathi Cements) by purchasing shares at a premium of Rs 110 per share in 2007 and at a premium of Rs 1,440 per share in 2008. It also invested another Rs 45 crore in Jagati Publications.