CBI can prosecute Dharmana, Mopidevi: Court

The Special Court for CBI Cases on Monday permitted the  CBI to prosecute  Revenue Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao and former Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana Rao in the matter of offences coming under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The court has directed both of them to appear before it on January 31.

The CBI had earlier filed a memo in the court urging it to take cognisance of offences under Section 13 (1) (d) read with 13 (2) of the PC Act against the two. 

The agency had urged to take cognisance of the role of the duo without any sanction from the government to prosecute them.

Dharmana and Mopidevi, who was holding the Excise portfolio when he was arrested in May last year, are among the 14 charge-sheeted accused in the Vanpic aspect of the assets case.

Mopidevi is presently under judicial custody.

CBI has contended that sanction for prosecution against both the accused was not necessary and court may take cognisance of case against them under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The CBI said as the two accused no more held the same portfolios, sanction for prosecution was not required.

Dharmana and Mopidevi are appearing in court for offences under Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the investigating agency had earlier said that both of them should be brought to book under PC Act.