A special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) here on Monday rejected the petitions filed by Jagathi Publications, which publishes Saakshi Telugu newspaper, Indira Television, promoter of Saakshi TV, and Janani Infrastructure Limited, which owns the premises used by both Jagathi Publications and Indira Television. The petitions sought de-freezing of the companies' bank accounts.
Last week, CBI froze the bank accounts of the three companies belonging to Kadapa MP YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. Its charge was that huge amounts of money were invested in the companies in a quid-pro-quo gesture for the benefits extended by the MP’s father and former chief minister, YS Rajasekhara Reddy. So far, the CBI had filed three chargesheets in this regard and is continuing its investigation.
The officials of the investigation agency also met Reddy while he was in the midst of a campaign for the ensuing by-elections in the state and served the summons issued by the special court asking him to appear before it on May 28. The summons were issued in connection with the disproportionate assets case filed by the CBI against Reddy.
By-elections are being held on June 12 for 18 Assembly constituencies and one Parliament seat. Barring one Assembly segment, the elections have been necessitated due to the disqualification of the Congress MLAs who voted against the Congress government in the state when the Opposition Telugu Desam Party moved a no-confidence motion in the Assembly.
The by-election to the lone Nellore Parliamentary constituency is being held as the sitting Congress MP, Mekapati Rajamohan Reddy, resigned in protest against CBI levelling charges against former chief minister, YS Rajasekhara Reddy.
