CBI questions Jagan Reddy in assets case

The Central Bureau of Investigation questioned jailed YSR Congress Party leader Y.S Jaganmohan Reddy in the illegal wealth case on Sunday, the first day of the five-day custody.

The questioning was on at the officer's mess in the office of director general of prisons, adjoining Chanchalguda Central Jail, where Jagan is lodged since May 28. The Kadapa MP, emerged from the jail gate around 10.30 am. With his trademark smile, he greeted mediapersons with folded hands before the CBI officials led him into the waiting vehicle. Clad in white shirt, he was clean shaven and looked fresh.

During the lunch break, Jagan's wife Bharati called on him. The police had made elaborate security arrangements around the office of director general of police. The CBI dropped its earlier plans to question Jagan either at its office in Koti or camp office at Dilkusha Guest House on Raj Bhavan road on security grounds. Since both the offices are located in busy areas, the questioning may cause inconvenience to public. The vehicular traffic around Dilkusha had gone haywire when the CBI earlier questioned Jagan for three days.

The Andhra Pradesh High Ccourt had Saturday sent Jagan to five-day custody of the CBI from June 3 to June 7. As per the direction of the court, the questioning has to be done between 10.30 am and 5 pm in the presence of two lawyers. The CBI was also directed not to use third-degree methods during the questioning. The agency questioned Jagan for three days before arresting him on May 27. It, however, told the court that he did not cooperate during the questioning and sought his custody for 10 days.

The questioning will be mainly about Rs.840 crore investments made into Jagan's companies by Vanpic, promoted by Prasad. Vanpic was allotted over 20,000 acres land in Guntur and Prakasam districts for two port projects and was given some other concessions. Mopidevi Venkataramna, who as the then minister for investments and infrastructure had issued orders for land allotments and other concessions, was arrested by the CBI last month. He is currently in jail. The CBI believes the funds were transferred to some briefcase companies in Luxembourg andMauritius and routed back into Jagan's firms through hawala channel.

The agency believes the investments were made on quid pro quo basis in return for favours doled out by the then government of Jagan's father YS. Rajasekhara Reddy.

- Asian Tribune -

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