The CBI on Monday requested the court to permit it to conduct narco analysis, polygraph and brain electrical activation profile (BEAP) tests on Kadapa MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy and his financial advisor V. Vijay Sai Reddy as they did not cooperate with the investigation in the assets case against the former.
Mr. Jagan and Mr. Sai Reddy's lawyer protested against the plea stating that it amounted to contempt of court since the Supreme Court had given a ruling that the tests, if forced, were illegal. The court posted the case for hearing to Thursday.
Seeking to take up the tests on the duo, the CBI said in its petition that the narco analysis involved intravenous administration of sodium pentothal, a drug which lowered inhibition on the part of the suspect and induced the person to talk freely.
It was not harmful.
‘Softer alternatives'
The polygraph and BEAP or brain mapping tests, on the other hand, served the purpose of detection and gauging the familiarity of subjects with information relating to the crime. The tests were essentially confirmatory in nature. The CBI added that investigation in Mr. Jagan's case revealed a chain of transactions and multiple conspiracies with various persons and companies within and outside the country. Despite sustained questioning, he avoided revealing tangible information about the transactions with an intention to derail the progress of investigation. Mr. Vijay Sai Reddy was in league with him.
The tests will help step up the pace of investigation and serve the interests of justice better.
They were considered a softer alternative to the use of third degree methods in investigation.
‘No ill-treatment'
The CBI had earlier sought permission of the court for the same tests on Mr. Vijay Sai Reddy after his police custody was over but it was rejected. It has again moved the court, now that the police custody of Mr. Jagan concluded on Sunday.
Mr. Jagan replied in the negative when the judge enquired whether the CBI had ill-treated him in police custody. His judicial remand was later extended to June 25. He was among a dozen accused who appeared in court in response to summons after cognizance was taken of three charge-sheets filed by the CBI in the case. The others included Srikakulam Collector G. Venkatram Reddy, Ramky group chairman A. Ayodhya Rami Reddy, suspended IAS officer B.P. Acharya and representatives of Aurobindo and Hetero groups. All of them were bound over.
