Jagan's Assets: CBI Probe Starts

The Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday submitted a report of its preliminary probe into the assets of YSR Congress Party president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, to the High Court, in a sealed cover.

The report of the CBI's preliminary probe, besides 2 reports on the alleged illegal allotments of lands to Emaar Properties, were submitted by CBI Joint Director V V Lakshminarayana to the Division Bench, comprising of Chief Justice Nisar Ahmed Kakru and Justice Vilas V Afzalpurkar.

Lakshminarayana told media persons later that the preliminary probe was conducted as per the High Court's orders, into the allegations that Jaganmohan Reddy had misused the office of his father, former Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, for his business interests.

The CBI official further said that the CBI had looked into the businesses of 24 companies which have invested in Jaganmohan Reddy's businesses.

The CBI had focused on the departments of revenue, industries, IT and mining, in its investigations.

The YSR Congress Party chief had earlier approached the Supreme Court to get a stay on the High Court's orders of the preliminary probe, but the Apex Court had quashed his plea on July 22.

Ordering the probe, the High Court had said, "The probe should be conducted by the CBI director or a special officer appointed by the CBI."

"Prima facie, an inquiry is necessary to clear the doubts," the Court had said.

The High Court had taken up the case after Cantonment MLA P Shankar Rao, now a Minister, had written 2 letters to the Court, one on the illegal allotment of lands by APIIC, and the other about the Kadapa MP's wealth. (INN)