Sunday 20 May 2012

Andhra Kesari Forgotten in Andhra Pradesh


CBI to attach properties of Jaganmohan in illegal assets case


The Andhra Pradesh government on Friday issued orders allowing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to attach the properties of YSR Congress party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy in his alleged illegal assets case.

Besides, orders were also issued to enable the CBI to attach the properties of Jagan's close relative N Sunil Reddy and industrialist Koneru Prasad, the accused in Emaar Properties case.

Home Secretary Ajayendra Pyal confirmed the issuance of three GOs pertaining to attachment of the assets in Jagan's and Emaar Properties case. While GO Ms No. 87 pertained to attachment of properties of Sunil Reddy, GO Ms No. 88 pertained to the attachment of Koneru Prasad's properties and GO Ms No. 89 is on the attachment of Jagathi Publications (that brings out Sakshi Telugu daily), Indira Television (that brings out Sakshi Telugu television channel) and Janani Infra, their sister concern - all the three belonging to Jagan.

The GOs were categorized as "confidential" and thus, the contents of the GOs have been kept secret.

Sources in the home department said the CBI would now seek the permission of the special court to attach the properties. It would also write to the CBI headquarters for the final approval.

The CBI had already frozen the accounts of Jagathi Publications, Indira Television and Janani Infra, which were named in the first chargesheet filed before the special court on March 31.

Once the CBI gets the court nod, it would take over these properties. The management of these companies would not be able to carry out any transactions on the properties - it can neither sell nor mortgage the properties. They cannot obtain loans nor can they induct any other partner in these companies.

Even as the CBI is tightening its screws on the Kadapa MP from all sides, the Enforcement Directorate on Friday filed a petition in the CBI court, seeking permission to interrogate the accused in the Jagan's case, as well as the Emaar Properties case and also the Obulapuram Mining Case.

If the ED gets permission, it would summon the accused in all these cases, including Jagan, and grill them with regard to the scams.

The ED is particularly probing into the allegations of money laundering and violation of Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) by Jaganmohan Reddy. The ED has already collected documents in this regard, sources said.

Meanwhile, the CBI on Friday questioned state home minister P Sabita Indra Reddy in connection with the Jagan case. A team of CBI sleuths questioned the minister at her residence here for about three hours on the permissions and licenses given to various companies which had in turn made investments in the Jagan's business empire as part of quid pro quo arrangement.

Sabita was the minister for mines in YS Rajasekhara Reddy's cabinet between 2004 and 2009. The CBI also issued summons to another minister Mopidevi Venkataramana, who was holding the portfolio of infrastructure and ports during the YSR regime, with regard to allegations of land allotments to VANPIC Infrastructure project in violation of rules. The CBI arrested VANPIC director Nimmagadda Prasad early this week.