VIJAYAWADA:Two primary accused in the Rs 40 crore ‘freedom fighter’ land scam-- Maganti Babu and Ganduri Mahesh, a TDP corporator-- appeared for the second sitting of magisterial inquiry called by the district collector, B Lakshmiknatham, on Monday.
However, on behalf of Bonda Uma’s wife Sujatha, her lawyer attended the inquiry proceedings and gave representation saying that the High Court had given a stay order of eight weeks for investigation. He also submitted the copies of cancelled land development agreement.Along with the two accused, family members of freedom fighter Kesireddy Suryanarayana also appeared before the committee. Reportedly, the committee asked Mahesh about the connection between Maganti Babu and other accused Abdul Masthan and Ramireddy Koteswara Rao.
Speaking to TNIE, Mahesh said: “Maganti Babu and I participated in party-related programmes. But, there was never any financial transaction between us. Ramireddy Koteswara Rao is a resident of Krishna Lanka and approached me many times asking for loan by pledging his land. I still wonder how they are making false accusations against me...”
Soon after Mahesh, Maganti Babu appeared before the committee and told that he was innocent and did not encroached any land in Vijayawada.He further refuted allegations rife against him and said that he was going to file a defamation suit against Kesireddy Suryanayana’s family.
“I would not comment on the issue as court and APCID officials are investigating the matter. I never threatened anyone. Before filing the case with APCID, Suresh approached me claiming that the land belongs to him and his family. But he could not show any documents to prove his claims,” Babu said.
Highlights
Maganti Babu and Ganduri Mahesh appeared before a committee on Monday
Mahesh refused to have done any financial transaction with Maganti Babu
Family members of the freedom fighter also took part in the inquiry
Maganti Babu said that he was going to file a defamation suit against Kesireddy Suryanayana’s family members