Vanpic case: Notices to Dharmana, Mopidevi

A special CBI court in Hyderabad ordered issuance of notices against a current and a former state minister in Vanpic case.

The order was passed in response to CBI's plea that no sanction was needed to prosecute them.
Roads and Buildings Minister Dharmana Prasada Rao and former Minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana Rao, who was holding the Excise portfolio when he was arrested in May this year, are among the 14 chagesheeted accused in this case.
Venkata Ramana Rao 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 cases against them under Prevention of Corruption Act.
The CBI said as the two accused no more held the same portfolios, sanction for prosecution was not required. After ordering issuance of notices against Dharmana and Mopidevi, court today posted the matter to December 31. Andhra Pradesh government, on November 23, had rejected the CBI's plea for prosecution of Dharmana.
PTI