The Andhra Pradesh High Court has suspended Mr. T. Pattabhirama Rao, First Additional Special Judge for CBI, on receiving information about corruption in granting bail to Mr. Gali Janardhan Reddy, in the mining lease case.
The CBI Judge had granted bail to Mr. Reddy, the former tourism minister in the Karnataka Government, last month in the Obulapuram Mining Company and mining lease case. He was appointed the CBI judge in April after three courts were constituted.
The High Court Registrar General, Vigilance, in a statement on Thursday, stated that after considering the information received against the judge, the High Court decided to place him under suspension. At least, five members involved the financial transaction, including the son of the CBI judge, are under CBI scanner now.
ED PROBE
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate, which has stepped into to probe Mr. Y.S.Jagan Mohan Reddy assets case, has sought copies of charge-sheets from the CBI court.
The ED team is in Hyderabad to probe issues relating to money laundering and violations of foreign exchange under the Money Laundering Act and the Foreign Exchange Management Act. The CBI, in its charge-sheets, has indicated about the money laundering in the Jagan assets case.
The money trail in the case points towards funds flow from Mauritius and Luxembourg.
BAIL PLEA
After hearing both the sides, the Andhra Pradesh High Court today posted the custody petition of the CBI and bail petition of Mr Jagan Mohan Reddy for tomorrow.
While the CBI contended that the investigation is at a crucial stage and his custody was required. Being influential, he could influence the people involved.
Mr Jagan Reddy's counsel contended he was being deprived of the opportunity to campaign for the ongoing by-elections and his arrest was politically motivated. Even his anticipatory bail plea was rejected resulting in his arrest.
vrishi@thehindu.co.in