The High Court, on Thursday, directed the CBI to file a counter for Jagathi Publications vice-president Vijay Sai Reddy's petition.
Vijay Sai Reddy's petition alleges that the investigating agency is crossing its limits during the investigation into Y S Jaganmohan Reddy's illegal assets case.
His petition further alleges that during investigation, the CBI threatened the witnesses while recording their statements.
On hearing Vijay Sai Reddy's petition, the court directed the CBI to file a response to the charges, and scheduled the next hearing for 19 January.
The counsel argued that the High Court had directed the CBI to investigate into Jaganmohan Reddy's alleged illegal assets acquired between May 2004 and 9 September 2009. However, according to Reddy's counsel, the CBI has been examining assets that took place in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
The counsel stated that the CBI is not following prima facie norms as per the direction of the High Court, and that it was probing past business matters, threatening the investors who had invested in Jaganmohan Reddy's ventures.
"We do not object to their investigation, and we are ready to cooperate with the CBI. But the CBI does not have any right to threaten the witnesses or force them to issue statements in violation of the law," he contended. (INN)
filed in:Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, CBI, Andhra Pradesh High Court, Jagathi Publications