Hyderabad: Former MP Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy's daughter Sunitha Reddy said the CBI should explain how Andhra P Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy was aware of her father's death in advance. The CBI in its additional counter submitted that Jagan was informed about Viveka's death much before it was revealed by the personal assistant of the deceased.
Citing this, Sunitha's lawyer L Ravichander told the court that bail should not be granted to the Kadapa MP Avinash Reddy who is being probed by the CBI as the latter's submission reveal that Jagan had advance information and Avinash might have had a role in that. The lawyer accused Avinash of playing mind games by floating new theories without cooperating with the investigation.
Her counsel said the followers of Avinash Reddy blocked the road in Kurnool to interrupt the CBI investigation. Ironically, when the probe agency issued summons, the accused were taunting the agency why it had not arrested them for so long instead of joining the investigation.
The anticipatory bail petition came up for hearing before Justice M Laxman following the orders of the Supreme Court during which Sunitha's counsel pointed out that Avinash informed the police over the phone that Viveka had died due to a heart attack. There is proof that Avinash and others being present at the crime spot.
Also Read: Jagan knew about Viveka murder in advance, CBI tells HC
Avinash counsel Umamaheswara Rao maintained that the CBI investigation was flawed. After the murder probe, police and SIT have not submitted the case diary to the court for three years. He said that they are labelling Avinash Reddy as an accused based on the facts on the counters without any evidence.
He said that the petitioner's father YS Bhaskara Reddy was arrested on the charges of tampering with the evidence and Avinash is being framed on the same charges. The CBI itself stated in its counter that Avinash was not in the bedroom when the blood stains were being cleaned, but was roaming outside in the corridor, he pointed out.
He pointed out that Shaik Dastagiri, who has worked as a driver of Viveka, has not been taken into custody. Instead of opposing his anticipatory bail, the CBI has filed a petition to grant amnesty. The charge sheet was filed naming him as a witness even before the amnesty was granted to the accused. He said that accused persons involved in the murder was not taken into custody but was treated favourably in the guise of the investigation.
Avinash's lawyer said there was no evidence against his client except for Dastagiri's statement. He termed Dastagiri as a CBI pet. According to him, the quartet involved in the murder had different reasons. They were not given their share of Rs 8 crores related to the Bangalore land settlement. The court has adjourned the hearing for Saturday.
