CM Jagan gives nod for CBI probe into Antarvedi fire incident

Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy give his nod to hand over the investigation of the blaze of Antarvedi chariot incident to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The Director General of Police, AP has been directed to hand over the case to the CBI.

The ancient (more than six-decade-old) chariot of Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple at Antarvedi in East Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, caught fire in the early hours of Sunday. However, there were no casualties or injuries reported in the incident. Sakhinetipalli SI Ch. Gopalakrishna said the fire confined to the chariot only and there was no other property loss and that no one was injured as the chariot shed was almost 200 mt away from the temple, he added.Former Chief Minister and opposition leader N Chandrababu Naidu demanded for Central agency to probe.

The DGP office on 10th September, wrote to Union Home Ministry seeking CBI probe into the Antarvedi incident. A GO to this effect will be issued.

"The Chief Minister has taken the matter of arson at the temple seriously and when the State police have been trying their best, there was criticism from political and other groups casting aspersions on the State government in mainline and social media spreading falsehood' said a statement from the CMO.

"The State would spare no one and would take stringent action against those, irrespective of their position, was the government stand" they added.