CBI opposes granting exemption from personal appearance to AP CM

Hyderabad: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has opposed a petition filed by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy seeking exemption from personal appearance before the Special CBI Court at Hyderabad.

According to sources, the CBI in its counter filed before the court on Tuesday has opposed granting Jagan Reddy from personal appearance in the alleged illegal assets case.

In its counter said that the petitioner seeking exemption from personal appearance before the court by hiding facts.

Adding, the Central agency said it had arrested Jagan Reddy when he was a serving as MP, for the reason that he might influence the witnesses.

It alleged that the accused in the case had however used his clout to influence the witness despite being in the jail. Now, being head of a State, he will have more opportunities to influence the witnesses, it reportedly said in its counter.

The reasons cited seeking from personal exemption like reorganisation of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh State, administration of the earlier government in Andhra Pradesh, raising the issues like economic situation of the State and revenue deficit related to the State of Andhra Pradesh is only meant to divert the attention but such issues have no bearing or relation to the case before the court.

Thus, the accused in the case cannot seek exemption from personal appearance citing them as reasons.

Also, in its counter, the CBI recalled that earlier the SC has observed that the charges related to the economic offence being faced by Jagan Mohan Reddy are serious ones and they have a grave impact on the economy.

That apart, given the facilities enjoyed by the chief minister of a State, it would not be difficult for him to travel 275 kms from Vijayawada to Hyderabad, to appear before the court.

The CBI urged the court to reject the application of the chief minister keeping the public interest involved in the cases. The CBI counsel is likely to present his arguments before the court on Friday.