CBI Seeks arrest of Sabita, Dharmana
Hyderabad: Former home minister Sabita Indra Reddy and former roads and buildings minister Dharmana Prasad Rao faced a second blow from the CBI on Friday, as the agency moved two memos seeking arrest and judicial remand of the ex-ministers in the CBI Special Court in Nampally.
Filing one memo for each of them, the CBI said that the statements the ex-ministers gave to the media right after submitting their resignations in May could hamper the investigation.
The CBI submitted a CD of the interaction: “If the ministers are outside, they will tamper with the investigation and influence witnesses. That is why we seek their remand,” said deputy legal adviser to the CBI, B. Ravindranath.
Ex-ministers can file plea after notice
Former ministers Sabita Indra Reddy and Dharmana Prasad Rao can file counter-petitions to the memos filed by the CBI only if the CBI Court issues a notice, which will be followed by further arguments.
The fate of the former ministers will not be decided before June 21. Along with the two former ministers, Jagan Mohan Reddy, who has completed a year in prison, and others accused in the fifth charge sheet filed by the CBI in relation to the disproportionate assets case were also present in the court.
The chargesheet filed against Dalmia Cements, Eeshwar Cements and Raghuram Cements named 13 accused, all of whom were present at the CBI court. Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy and auditor Mr Vijay Sai Reddy who are under judicial remand were produced before a packed court and amidst vociferous pro-Jagan sloganeering.
Also present were managing Dalmia Cements director Punit Dalmia, suspended IAS officer Y. Srilakshmi, who remained in an ambulance, and Andhra Pradesh director of mines V.D. Rajagopal, during the period when the alleged irregularities occurred. Srilakshmi and Rajagopal have also been named as accused in the Obulapuram Mining Company case.
Prasad Rao, who was the revenue minister when the alleged irregularities took place, is accused in the Vadarevu and Nizampatnam Ports Industrial Corridor (Vanpic) aspect of the illegal investments case. A clearly upset and disturbed Y.S. Vijayalakshmi, was also present in the court.
The accused were asked to furnish a personal bond of Rs 25,000 and two sureties of a like amount on June 21. The court also issued summons to all the accused asking them to be present on June 21, while extending the judicial remand of Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy and Mr Vijay Sai Reddy to the same date.
Post new comment