Blow to Jagan, CBI court dismisses plea to excuse from appearing

Hyderabad: In a major setback to Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S Jagan Mohan Reddy, the special CBI court on Friday dismissed his application, that sought for a blanket exemption from personally appearing before the court.

In his application seeking exemption Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy said, “As the Chief Minister of the state, I am holding a constitutional post and have to attend several important programs. As a result, I will be unable to attend the court in person.”

However, the CBI opposed his plea, citing that there is only a change in the personal capacity of the alleged accused and there is no change in the circumstances of the case. The CBI further contended that Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy had influenced the witnesses and the investigation when he was an MP. Now as he is holding a much higher post, there are high chances of him influencing the witnesses.

The court which reserved its order on the petition filed by Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy on October 18, agreed with the submissions of the CBI, and on Friday ruled in its favour, dismissing Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy’s plea. So far the CBI had filed 11 chargesheets in connection with the case registered against Jagan Mohan Reddy in the Special CBI court at Hyderabad. After almost six years from the date of filing the large chargesheets, the trial proceedings are yet to begin. This is an indication that the accused has been able to procrastinate the proceedings on one pretext or the other, the CBI told the court.

Huge setback to Andhra CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy,
Special CBI Court today dismissed his petition for exemption from personal appearance before the court during the hearings of the alleged illegal assets case.
"Rectify your Hinduphobia agenda. We remember Hindus votes for you" pic.twitter.com/kvY7T5eo07

— Nandagopal.K.M. (@nandaji1958) November 1, 2019

The CBI further submitted before the court that in the light of these circumstances, if the request of the petitioner (Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy) is seeking personal dispensation of personal attendance in the court on whatever grounds, will eventually entail him to liberate himself from

the lawful restrictions imposed by the court and give him and unsolicited liberty to do whatever he wants. He can influence the witnesses behind the iron wall of politics, money and muscle powers.