YS Vivekananda Reddy Murder Case: AP HC Issues Key Directions To SIT, Police Officials

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh High Court directed Special Investigation Team (SIT) police officials on Friday, that they should not hold press meets with regard to the probe into the murder of former MP and minister, YS Vivekananda Reddy.

It has also asked the AP state government officials not to leak information about the case. The High Court also ruled refraining Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu and Leader of Opposition, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy from speaking in the matter and asked their lawyers to convey this direction to them.

The High Court bench comprising Justice Akula Venkata Sesha Sai and Justice U. Durgaprasada Rao gave its verdict in the case.

The Court is hearing petitions filed by YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and wife of slain leader, YS Vivekananda Reddy, Sowbhagyamma, seeking a third party investigation for an impartial probe into the brutal murder of the former MP and Minister.

Arguing for the AP Leader of Opposition, CV Mohan Reddy submitted to the Court that AP chief minister, Chandrababu Naidu had made wild allegations against the family members of the slain leader at a media conference and that they sought a fair, impartial probe by CBI against this background.

Chandrababu Naidu's intention to wind up the investigation before the elections could be seen from his statement that he opposed a CBI probe into the case saying it would delay the inquiry. Counsel for YS Jagan argued that it was clear that the TDP chief sought to draw political mileage from the murder of the former MP.

The chief minister would try to influence the investigation by virtue of being in power, he told the Court.

The Advocate-General of AP argued that allegations and counter-allegations were common in politics. He submitted that the chief minister was not directly monitoring the case.

He further said that because YS Vivekananda Reddy was a prominent leader to avoid speculation and suspicions, the SP of the district revealed only the prima facie details.

The Court however, responded to this line of argument and questioned as to why the SP should reveal any details relating to the investigation in the case when a probe was still being conducted. Should the SP disclose details simply because reporters sought to know?, the Court is said to have asked.

Which Act spells out that such details should be disclosed? Why did the SP hold a media conference? These were among the questions posed by the Court.

Senior Advocate, Niranjan Reddy arguing for Sowbhagyamma, wife of late YS Vivekananda Reddy, submitted to the Court that selective media leaks are taking place. Following specific requests by the advocates representing the wife of the slain leader and YS Jagan, the Court issued directions in the case to the SIT authorities and police officials.

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