YSR Congress MP Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy and former Andhra Pradesh home minister P. Sabitha Indra Reddy appeared in a Hyderabad court on Friday following CBI summons in a case against Dalmia cements and two other companies as part of the probe into Jaganmphan Reddy's assets. Thirteen other acused were also present.
The CBI moved two memos seeking judicial remand for Ms. Sabitha Reddy and former minister Dharmana Prasada Rao citing media reports clippings wherein they claimed to be innocent and would come out clean in the cases. Mr. Rao is accused in the case against VANPIC which was also booked by CBI as part of Mr. Jagan assets case.
Mr. Jagan was brought to the packed court hall from Chanchalguda Central Jail, where he has been detained for the past one year. Ms. Sabitha who is the fourth accused in the case stood next to Mr. Jagan but both avoided any eye contact. A visibly upsent Vijayamma, Mr Reddy's mother, was also present. .
Vociferous sloganeering by Mr Reddy's supporters outside the court prompted Judge U. Durga Prasad Rao to issue a stern warning to his lawyer to keep the supporters under control. The police had a tough time in separating the groups. The Jai Telangana slogans were raised was by advocates while YSR Congress supporters shouted for Mr. Reddy.
Mr. Reddy was allowed to meet his family for 50 minutes in a room adjacent to the court.
Those who attended the court on Friday included Dalmia Cement Managing Director Puneet Dalmia, Easwara Cement Managing Director Sajjala Diwakar Reddy and three officials of Dalmia Cement.
Suspended IAS officer Y. Srilakshmi, who is also an accused in the case, remained in an ambulance outside the courts complex. A court official was sent to record her attendance. Friday was the first appearance for all the accused after the charge sheet was filed on April 8.
