AP CM Jagan Mohan Reddy appears before CBI court in disproportionate assets case
Hyderabad, Jan 10: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday appeared before a CBI Special Court here in connection with the ongoing trial in the quid pro quo investments cases against him.
This is Jagan's first appearance in court for the trial after he assumed charge as Chief Minister on May 30, 2019.
The Special Court judge had on January 3 directed Jagan to appear in person for the trial, rejecting the latter's plea for an exemption.
Along with Jagan, his close aide andYSR Congress Rajya Sabha member V Vijaysai Reddy, who is also one of the accused in the cases, too appeared before the court.
In view of Jagan's court appearance, security was beefed up near the court's premises.
The YSR Congress president has been facing trial wherein he was charge-sheeted in at least 11 cases as the prime accused in alleged quid pro quo deals.
The cases relate to investments made by various companies in Jagan's firms as quid pro quo for various favours bestowed on them during the tenure of his father late Y S Rajasekhara Reddy as Chief Minister between 2004 and 2009.
Several former ministers and bureaucrats are also accused in the case.
Jagan is currently out on bail, having spent time in jail as an "un-convicted criminal prisoner" in the Chanchalguda Central Prison from May 2012 to September 2013.
In the run-up to the Assembly elections in AP last year, Jagan's appearance in the court had reduced after he urged the court to dispense with his appearance and the court had allowed his pleas.
Soon after becoming Chief Minister, Jagan had filed a petition in the special court of CBI seeking exemption from personal appearance as he would be busy with official duties.
Also, lakhs of rupees of public money has to be spent for his security and other protocol requirements in view of his position, Jagan contended.
On November 1, the court, however, rejected his plea and directed that he appear for trial every Friday.
Jagan had not been attending the trial proceedings citing his official engagements as the reason for his absence.
Not impressed by this, the Special Court judge had on January 3 directed that Jagan attend the proceedings on January 10.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Kulkarni became victim of BJP conspiracy as he grew politically in North Karnataka: Shivakumar
_vb_59.jpeg)
Bengaluru (PTI): Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar claimed on Friday that Congress MLA Vinay Kulkarni, who was sentenced to life imprisonment in a murder case, has become a victim of a BJP conspiracy because he was growing politically in the north Karnataka region.
Stating that he has faith in Kulkarni and believes he has done nothing wrong, he said the former minister will fight the case legally by filing an appeal.
A Bengaluru court on Friday sentenced Kulkarni and fifteen others to life imprisonment in the BJP leader Yogeshgouda Goudar murder case.
On Wednesday, Santhosh Gajanan Bhat, Judge of the Special Court for cases involving elected representatives, convicted Kulkarni and others under various IPC sections, including criminal conspiracy and murder.
“I respect the court. But there was a big conspiracy in this case. When the police were about to file a B-report, the CBI was given the case to harass him (Kulkarni). Vinay Kulkarni has become a victim of a BJP conspiracy as he was growing politically in north Karnataka,” Shivakumar said.
Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, he said Kulkarni has several legal options.
“I have spoken to his family. He swore on God and told me that he had not done anything wrong. I still have faith in him. I feel that he has not done anything wrong. He has an opportunity to file an appeal,” he said, adding that he stands with Kulkarni’s family and supporters and believes he will get justice.
The case pertains to the killing of Goudar, a BJP zilla panchayat member, in Dharwad on June 15, 2016. Kulkarni was a minister at the time. Hired assailants allegedly attacked and hacked Goudar to death in his gym in Saptapur, Dharwad.
Following demands from Goudar’s family and others, the then-BJP government transferred the case to the CBI in 2019.
Veteran BJP leader and former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, under whose tenure the case was handed over to the CBI, told reporters in Chikkamagaluru, “I said what I needed to say when the crime happened, and what I said—that the guilty should be punished and justice should be served—has proven true.”
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, BJP leader and MLC C T Ravi, reacting to the court order, said, “Justice delayed, but not denied.”
