Thaindian News

Hyderabad, June 11 (IANS) A special CBI court here Monday extended YSR Congress Party leader Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy’s judicial custody till June 25 in the illegal assets case.

The member of parliament (MP) from Kadapa was presented before the special CBI court as his judicial custody was ending Monday.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) filed a petition seeking the court’s permission to conduct a narco analysis test on Jagan, as he is popularly known.

The son of late Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, Jagan was arrested by the CBI May 27. He was also questioned by the central agency for seven days.

There was some drama in the court as Jagan complained to the judge that Chanchalguda Central Jail authorities and the police insulted him by bringing him to the court in an ordinary police vehicle.

“I am the president of a party and an MP and this court has given me special category (prisoner) status,” said Jagan in a memorandum submitted to the court.

He also told the judge that his wife was not being allowed to meet him. He said if he was continually treated in this manner, he would go on an indefinite fast in the jail. “I have not committed any crime. I am only an accused and not a convict,” he said.

Judge A. Pullaiah directed police to arrange a special vehicle for Jagan on security grounds. Later, a bullet proof vehicle was arranged to take him back to jail.

The court also asked the police and jail authorities to explain by June 14 as to why Jagan was brought to the court in an ordinary van.

The judge allowed Jagan’s mother Y.S. Vijayamma and wife Bharati to meet him for half an hour in the court premises. Jagan’s sister Sharmila and uncle Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy also reached the court to meet him.

The court handed over copies of the second and third charge sheets in the case to Jagan and other accused. Barring Jagan, others were released on personal bond.

Those who appeared in the court included Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Venkatrami Reddy, jailed IAS officer B.P. Acharya, who is also an accused in the Emaar case, Jagan’s aide Vijay Sai Reddy, Aurobindo director Nityananda Reddy, Heteror director Srinivas Reddy, Sharatchandra Reddy and Ramky chairman Ayodhyarami Reddy.

Jagan is accused of conspiring with his father and then chief minister Rajasekhara Reddy to dole out favours to various companies in return for the investments they made in his firms.

The MP, one of the richest politicians, and 72 others were booked by the CBI last year on the direction of the Andhra Pradesh High Court.