HYDERABAD: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) listed Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy as accused No. 8 (A8) in the murder case of former minister YS Vivekananda Reddy on Thursday. Opposing the bail plea filed by his father YS Bhaskar Reddy with the Telangana High Court, the agency, in its counter petition, said that the MP along with his father conspired to tamper with evidence, leading to obstruction of the inquiry.
This is the first time that Avinash Reddy has been categorised as an accused, as he was previously treated as a witness and questioned by the CBI on multiple occasions. In its counterargument, the CBI stated that they are currently investigating the plot to murder Vivekananda Reddy and the larger conspiracy involving the destruction of evidence.
According to officials, N Sivashankar Reddy and Avinash Reddy had spoken to the prime accused, Erra Gangireddy, before 5.20 am on the day of the murder. The counter-petition stated that Avinash Reddy arrived at the crime scene within a minute of Sivashankar Reddy’s call. Avinash Reddy, Bhaskar Reddy and Sivashankar Reddy attempted to persuade Vivekananda Reddy’s former driver, Sheik Dastagiri, to withhold information from the CBI and the court, it added.
The CBI also revealed that they discovered Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had prior knowledge of YS Vivekananda Reddy’s death before it was officially conveyed by MV Krishna Reddy, the deceased’s personal assistant, at around 6.15 am. Based on these facts and counterarguments, the CBI has urged the court to reject the bail petition.