Suspended IAS officer B.P. Acharya, the first-accused in the Emaar Properties land deal case, appealed to a special court here on Friday to absolve him of all charges levelled against him by the (CBI) on the grounds that he had done no wrong and merely implemented government decisions.
Arguing on behalf of the former Vice-Chairman and MD of the AP Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC), his counsel contended that as a public servant, Mr. Acharya had never violated any government instructions but merely discharged his duties by implementing them. Even the High Court did not find fault in his discharge of duties. The counsel argued that taking cognizance of charges under the provisions IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act against Acharya was wrong under the Sections 197 and 19 CrPC, respectively. The government had not given its nod to prosecute him under the provision of PC Act so far, he submitted.
On a similar plea filed by another accused in the case N. Sunil Reddy, his counsel appealed to the court that he was not associated with Southern Projects when the questionable investments flowed into the firm. The directors of the company had clearly told the CBI that Sunil Reddy was not associated with the firm and had nothing to do with its financial transactions. It was argued that Sunil Reddy was not associated with Emaar Properties in any manner and it was based on the deposition of two witnesses that he had been implicated in the case as he was a relative of Kadapa MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy. Sunil Reddy’s counsel urged the court to discharge his client of all charges as they had no ground. The judge posted both pleas for further arguments to May 8.
Meanwhile, K.V. Brahmananda Reddy, an accused in the VANPIC projects case, filed a plea in the special court seeking bail on Friday. The matter was posted to May 7.
