Slow pace of probe irks High Court

Directs AP govt to remove present investigation officer and entrust responsibility to another

Hyderabad: A two judge bench of the High Court at Hyderabad comprising Acting Chief Justice Dilip B Bhosale and Justice S V Bhatt on Monday voiced displeasure at the slow pace of investigation into AgriGold deposit scam.

The bench was dealing with a petition filed by the Telangana AgriGold customers and Agents’ Welfare Association, represented by its President A Ramesh Babu. The bench directed the Andhra Pradesh government to remove the present investigation officer (IO) in the case and hand over the responsibility to another officer.

“Is the investigation officer of the view that no custodial interrogation is required in this case. Every day we are receiving letters from the victims,” the bench pointedly asked the counsel representing the AP government when it was brought to the notice of the court that no arrests were made.

The counsel for the petitioner pointed out to the court that AgriGold was trying to sell away the machinery of its power plant located in Guntur district and produced photographs to the same. “If it’s true, it is nothing but misleading the court. The officers concerned have to face severe consequences for misleading the court”, the bench added.

Ravi Prasad, counsel appearing for the three men committee headed by retired judge to oversee the auction of properties informed the court that the committee had identified three institutions to conduct e-auction of the properties and the committee working out the modalities to distribute the identified properties among three to hold the auction.

The bench adjourned the matter to Tuesday and warned the government that it would pass necessary orders to change the IO if the government failed to take action.