The special CBI court on Wednesday reserved orders on the bail application moved by YSRC chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy till September 23 in a case related to alleged quid pro quo investments in his companies. Jagan Reddy had on September 11 moved the court seeking bail on the ground that the four-month deadline set by the Supreme Court for completion of investigation by the CBI ended on September 9.
Opposing the bail application, the CBI contended that if the petitioner, a highly-influential person and chief of a political party, was released on bail, he could influence the trial process. The CBI further argued that the Supreme Court had only directed it to complete investigation within four months and observed that thereafter, the petitioner was free to renew his prayer for bail before the trial court.
“Hence, it is clear that the Supreme Court has not given the green signal for grant of bail to the petitioner,” it pointed out. Moreover, the Supreme Court had directed that after filing of the bail petition, the trial court should consider the matter on merits, the CBI counsel said.
Citing the example of Satyam scam, the CBI counsel said Ramalinga Raju’s bail was cancelled and trial conducted during his detention period. Claiming that trial cannot be conducted during detention period is wrong, he asserted. The CBI counsel also said considering the gravity of his offence, Jagan should not be granted bail.
Appearing on behalf of Jagan, Supreme Court senior counsel Sushil Kumar termed
the CBI’s argument that the accused, if released on bail, could influence the trial as just a myth. He said his client was roaming free for nine months after the FIR was filed against him. During the period, three chargesheets were filed and still, his client never tried to interfere in the process of investigation nor did he try to influence the witnesses, he said.
Already chargesheets have been filed and all the documents related to the case submitted in the court and there is no way his client can tamper with the evidence or influence witnesses, he argued. Moreover, the CBI has itself submitted in court that it has completed investigation. Therefore, keeping him in custody will be of no use and hence, the court should release him immediately, he said.
The CBI has filed 10 chargesheets against Jagan and that means 10 trials will go on. “If we go by the CBI’s claims and apprehensions, my client has to be in jail till all the trials are over,” he observed. Even in the 2G scam, former telecom minister A Raja and other accused were released on bail after the chargesheets were filed, he added.
After hearing both the sides, the court reserved its verdict for September 23.
Jagan was arrested by the CBI on May 27 last year.