TS HC exempts Jagan from personal appearance in CBI court

Telangana High Court has exempted Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy from personal appearance in CBI court.

After hearing Jagan's counsel S Niranjan Reddy, Chief Justice Ujjal Bhuyan passed the order and exempted the chief minister from personal appearance.

S Niranjan Reddy stated that Jagan Mohan Reddy being the Chief Minister has to work round the clock and attending court on each hearing would adversely affect the administration.

He said since he was Chief Minister, a mandatory security protocol has to be followed which would affect the appearance of other litigants and lawyers in the court on the day.

Jagan requested to allow a lawyer to appear instead of him.

However, in accordance with subsection (2) of Section 205 of the CrPC, the High Court ordered chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy to appear before the CBI court whenever it is necessary.

Back in 2011, the CBI registered a criminal case against Jagan Mohan Reddy following the direction of the High Court in a PIL petition. He was arrested and 11 charge sheets were filed against him. After his release on bail in 2013, supplementary charge sheets were filed. Cases were also registered by Enforcement Directorate.

In 2013, Jagan had filed several criminal miscellaneous petitions seeking relaxation in different bail conditions. However, they were rejected. In 2019, after he became Chief Minister and filed a petition in CBI court requesting for exemption from personal appearance. This plea too was rejected by the CBI court.

Challenging the CBI court order, Jagan approached the Telangana High Court seeking exemption from personal appearance under Section 205 of the Criminal Procedure Code.