New Delhi: In a major relief, the Supreme Court on Thursday allowed Congress leader and former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhana Reddy accused of a mining scam to visit Ballari, Ananthpuram and Kadappa on the condition that he informs about his arrival to the SSP of the districts and also while leaving the districts.
The bench comprising Justice Vineet Saran and Justice Dinesh Maheshwari was hearing the plea filed by Reddy to relax his bail conditions and allow him to visit Ballari, his home town. The case was being heard for three consecutive days at length and today the court has passed its order.
Also Read: Twitter suspends official account of Amrullah Saleh
The CBI had opposed the relaxation, contending that there are witnesses in all the three districts who will be threatened by the accused, if he is allowed to visit the districts. The news of him going itself will threaten the people there.
Additional Solicitor General Madhavi Divan arguing for the CBI said that Reddy is accused of bribing judges, judicial officers and threatening the witnesses. The whole trial will collapse if he is allowed. She argued that the CBI would have never agreed to his bail if there were no conditions and those restrictions which have helped in the protection of witnesses from any kind of threat and hence should be continued.
Also Read: Amrullah Saleh's presidency bid gets support from US leader
Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for Reddy told the court that he has not been convicted of any charge as of now and has not violated any condition of bail also.
Moreover, there are no conditions on the other co-accused. Rohatgi said that it is a violation of his rights. He further added that first he had to be in jail for four years and then for 12 years trials have not commenced.
After hearing both the parties at length, the court passed the order allowing him to visit Ballari. The matter will be heard again in the third week of November.
Also Read: Calcutta HC orders CBI, SIT probe in post-poll violence in West Bengal
