Hyderabad: After spending 484 days in jail and filing multiple petitions, YSR Congress president Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy secured bail on Monday. He is expected to be released on Tuesday.
Reddy was granted bail by the special court for CBI cases at Nampally after they filed a memo stating that it had completed probe in the quo pro quo investments case. He was arrested on May 27, 2012, and lodged in the Chanchalguda prison.
Reddy was not present, but his wife Bharati and uncle Vivekananda Reddy, who were in the jam-packed court room broke out in broad smiles. Outside, YSRC activists began celebrations almost immediately. Principal special judge U. Durga Prasad Rao granted bail on the grounds that the CBI had not produced any facts that convinced the court that Reddy would tamper with evidence if released on bail.
The judge asked the YSCR chief to furnish a bond of Rs 2 lakh each of two sureties. The court also imposed the condition that Reddy would not leave Hyderabad and warned him against influencing witnesses.
The judge quoted the October 2012 Supreme Court judgement that had stated: “Trial court is free to consider the prayer for bail independently on its merits without being influenced by dismissal of the present appeal.”
Bail granted on merits: CourtPrincipal special judge U. Durga Prasad Rao, who granted bail to YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday, observed, “From perusal of the two orders of the apex court that mere filing of chargesheet is not an automatic entitlement of bail to a petitioner, this court has to decide the bail application based on its merits.“ The court observed in the order that the gravity of the offences, as alleged by the CBI, to continue judicial custody could not be a criterion at this stage.
The court mentioned that the CBI had not expressed concern that in the event of granting bail, the accused would abscond and would not face trial.
The court also observed that the prosecution had not produced any facts or material regarding the allegation that Jagan Mohan Reddy would tamper with evidence if released on bail. The court stated that the CBI could produce any such material before it seeks cancellation of bail.
One of Jagan Mohan Reddy’s counsels, Ashok Reddy, said with a huge smile: “It is an obvious reason for being happy. This has come after a long battle and a long wait. It makes me truly happy. I am content,” he said.
Next: State politics to heat up

 
State politics to heat up
N. Vamsi Srinivas | DC
Hyderabad: With YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s release from jail, the agitations that the state is witnessing over the bifurcation issue are expected to go up a notch.
YSRC leaders say that with their leader out on bail, party workers will be enthused and Jagan Mohan Reddy will also play a significant role in the ongoing agitations in the 13 districts of coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema districts.
The party is expected to make full use of the burning issue to counter the TD claim that Jagan Mohan Reddy’s bail was the outcome of a secret pact between the YSRC and the Congress.While admitting that some people might believe the TD, a senior YSRC leader said the party would step up pressure on N. Chandrababu Naidu to withdraw his letter of support for a T-state to overcome the situation.
YSRC leaders believe Naidu will be isolated from the ongoing agitation once Jagan Mohan Reddy starts touring districts. However, as indicated by his wife Bharathi, the tours may take time as the Kadapa MP will be under strict court orders not to budge from Hyderabad.
“The first and foremost benefit of his release will be restoration of all communication channels,” YSRC central committee member D.A. Somayajulu said. He will now be privy to all the happenings and take decisions and communicate effectively to the people concerned, he added.
YSRC leaders also say that party cadres will now be more confident.
The party had suffered setbacks in the gram panchayat polls due to internal bickering, which will now be tackled effectively, say leaders.
“There will be a positive contribution also for the state, which is suffering from a vacuum in leadership. There may be a situation wherein Jagan Mohan Reddy will break the ice with the Telangana people,” added Somayajulu.
The YSRC leader’s release will also provide the twin benefits of leaders remaining in the party and exodus of leaders from other parties. The ruling Congress, which is fearing a complete wipeout in Seemandhra in the next elections, will be the worst hit.