Order on Jagan's bail plea posted to Sep 23

A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in Andhra Pradesh posted to Sep 23 orders on the YSR Congress party president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy's bail petition in the disproportionate assets case. The special CBI court Wednesday heard arguments from the lawyers of both Jaganmohan Reddy and the CBI.

The investigating agency opposed the bail plea on the ground that since Jaganmohan Reddy is a member of parliament and a powerful politician, he could influence the witnesses if released on bail. The CBI, in its counter to the bail petition, informed the court that it completed the probe in the case within the four months given by the Supreme Court and that the trial would commence soon.

The federal agency also told the trial court that the Supreme Court did not say that the accused may be granted bail after four months. Arguing on behalf of Jagan, his lawyer Sushil Kumar said since the investigations were completed, he may be granted bail. Jagan said in his bail petition that in view of the ongoing agitation in Seemandhra over the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, there was a need for him, as leader of a political party, to be with the people and lead the stir.

Jagan was arrested by the CBI May last year, and has been lodged in Chanchalguda Central Jail here. His bail petitions were dismissed on various occasions by the trial court, the high court and the Supreme Court. While rejecting his bail plea on May 9, the Supreme Court had directed the CBI to complete the investigations and file charge sheets within four months.

The CBI has filed 10 charge sheets in the case in connection with certain quid pro quo investments. Jagan has been charged with entering into criminal conspiracy with his father and then chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy to favour companies and individuals who invested in his business.

In one of the two charge sheets filed Tuesday, the CBI named major industries minister J. Geeta Reddy as an accused. Two ministers had quit in May this year after they were named in the charge sheet. The investigating agency had arrested another minister May last year. Several bureaucrats, industrialists, companies and Jagan's aides also figure in the charge sheets.