Thaindian News

Hyderabad, Aug 22 (IANS) Intensifying its probe into the alleged illegal assets of YSR Congress chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Monday began scrutiny of documents seized during the searches last week.

The documents seized during the searches are being scrutinised and digitised, CBI joint director V.V. Lakshminarayana told reporters here.

The official, who is heading investigations in both the cases of Jaganmohan Reddy, or Jagan as he is known, and the irregularities by Emaar Properties in developing a township, said the teams would call the accused for questioning based on the information available to them.

“The teams will then collect evidence and depending on the evidence take other measures which are taken during investigations,” he said.

The CBI has completed searches in Hyderabad but did not rule out more searches if necessary.

The official denied that the CBI registered a first information report (FIR) in the Jagan case on the direction of the central government. He clarified that the FIR was registered on the direction of the high court and was based on the material in the writ petitions.

“We have not included anything on our own. We are trying to find out if there is any evidence in support of the material in the writ petition or not. We are doing the best and are conducting an impartial probe,” he said.

The clarification from CBI came as the mention of the late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy in the FIR was criticised by the YSR Congress and prompted the resignations of 29 legislators loyal to Jagan.

The CBI has already searched the homes of Jagan and his family members, offices of his companies and the also the firms which invested in his businesses. The searches were conducted in seven cities across the country.

The federal agency obtained 60 search warrants in different parts of the country. It secured 32 search warrants from a special CBI court in Hyderabad.

CBI officials Monday began collecting information about Jagan, his companies and investors from the income tax and other government departments.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court directed the CBI probe on writ petitions filed by a state minister and some leaders of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP). The petitioners alleged that Jagan amassed huge wealth by misusing his position when his father Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy was chief minister from 2004 to 2009.

According to the FIR registered against 74 individuals and companies, companies that received favours from the then chief minister invested huge money into Jagan’s businesses in a quid-pro-quo arrangement.