The Andhra Pradesh Government has accorded permission to the Central Bureau of Investigation to attach properties of Jagathi Publications and Indira Television owned by Kadapa MP, Mr Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, in the illegal assets case.
The investigating agency, which already froze bank accounts of these firms, had sought approval to attach the properties a couple of days ago which was approved by the Chief Minister, Mr N. Kiran Kumar Reddy.
A Government Order in this regards is expected any time, according to official sources.
The attachment might not cause any immediate operational troubles for Sakshi Daily and Sakshi Television as only a ban would be imposed on sale and purchase of these properties by the CBI.
CBI had so far filed three charge sheets in the case naming 13 persons including Mr K. Nityanananda Reddy, MD, Aurobindo Pharma. in the case.
STAY
Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday stayed the implementation of a Government order banning release of advertisements to the Sakshi daily.
Acting on a petition filed by Jagathi Publications, the High Court directed the State Government to file counter before June 16. The State Government, last week, issued G.O. No. 2097 banning the release of Government advertisements to Sakshi after the CBI froze the bank accounts of firms owned by Mr Reddy .
The court adjourned hearing on the petition filed by Jagathi Publications challenging the freezing of its bank accounts by CBI to May 22.
nagsridhu@
thehindu.co.in