Viveka murder: CBI asked not to take further action against MP Avinash Reddy

Hyderabad: A Telangana High Court Single Bench of Justice K. Lakshman on Monday adjudicated the petition filed by Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy seeking to stay further examination of CBI against him in the YS Vivekananda Reddy murder case.

Mr. Avinash Reddy further urged the court to direct the CBI not to take any coercive action pursuant to the notice issued.

Moreover, he prayed to the court that further examination should be conducted in the presence of his advocate and that there should be audio and video recordings of the entire CBI questioning.

T. Niranjan Reddy, senior counsel arguing for petitioner Avinash Reddy, informed the court that the Parliament session is going on and it is inevitable to attend the session. He requested the court to exempt Avinash Reddy from appearing before the CBI investigation on Tuesday and Wednesday.

To this, Justice K. Lakshman asked, “Why don’t you give a representation (letter) to the CBI to attend the Parliament session?”

Further, Justice Lakshman, angry over MP Avinash holding a media conference outside the CBI office after being questioned, said it’s sheer contempt of court. When the matter is sub judice, what made him comment on the issue? Justice Lakshman said.

Mr. Niranjan Reddy, while arguing, informed the court that the CBI is behind Sunitha’s petition. There are political pressures behind Sunitha’s charge. A year after Viveka's murder, Sunita makes accusations, he said. He further alleged that the CBI is not investigating the role of Viveka’s son-in-law Rajasekhar Reddy and Viveka’s second wife Shamim, and added that the facts will come out.

CBI standing counsel Nagendra submitted Viveka’s murder case diary to the court in a sealed cover. The CBI submitted 35 witness statements, 10 documents, and hard disks to the court. The letter found on the murder spot and the FSL report were also submitted to the court by the CBI.

After hearing both sides’ arguments, the High Court reserved its orders. It further directed the CBI not to take any further action against Avinash Reddy until the final verdict, which may come within a day or two.