The prosecution of former ministers Mopidevi Venkataramana Rao and Dharmana Prasada Rao started on Monday, in the CBI special court. The two politicians are accused persons in the case of Y S Jagan's alleged illegal assets, a case which revolves around thousands of acres of land of the VANPIC (Vadrarevu And Nizampatnam Ports And Industrial Corridor) project in Prakasam district.
The CBI special court rejected their appeal for a postponement of their hearing. The CBI had asked for the hearing 3 months ago.
Mopidevi Venkataramana, excise minister in the AP government before he was arrested, was the minister of Investment, Infrastructure and Ports in YSR's cabinet. Dharmana Prasada Rao was the Revenue minister in YSR's cabinet. The two have been charged with having a role in issuing GOs regarding the VANPIC project to Y S Jagan and helping him amass wealth illegally.
Mopidevi and Dharmana were arrested earlier in 2012, and have been housed in Chanchalguda Jail ever since.