SC denies bail to Jagan in disproportionate assets case

October 05, 2012 02:27 pm | Updated November 17, 2021 05:08 am IST - New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed YSR Congress party chief Jaganmohan Reddy's bail plea in the alleged multi-crore disproportionate assets case. File photo

The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed YSR Congress party chief Jaganmohan Reddy's bail plea in the alleged multi-crore disproportionate assets case. File photo

YSR Congress leader and Member of Parliament Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy will have to be in jail for some more time with the Supreme Court on Friday dismissing his bail plea in the alleged multi-crore disproportionate assets case against him.

A bench of justices Aftab Alam and Ranjana Prakash Desai ruled that Jagan can apply for bail only after the CBI completes its investigation in all the seven other cases lodged against him.

“The contours are much larger,” the bench observed while refusing to entertain the persistent plea of senior counsel Gopal Subramaniam, who appeared for Mr. Jagan.

Responding to queries from the bench, the CBI said it would complete the investigation by March 31, 2013. However, it later told the bench that it would try to complete it much more expeditiously.

The apex court passed the order after Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Mohan Parasaran and senior counsel Ashok Bhan appearing for the CBI contended that Mr. Jagan cannot be granted bail as investigations were still underway in seven cases against him and letter rogatories have been issued to various countries as the cases have international ramifications.

Responding to queries from the bench, Mr. Parasaran said the total amount accumulated by Mr. Jagan and his associates, insofar as the four charge sheets have been filed, amounted to over Rs 3000 crore.

He submitted it would not be proper to release Mr. Jagan at this stage as the case “is a very serious economic offence that is unparalleled. The accused is also known for his political prowess. The saga of investigations is still continuing.”

“They are so influential that they can influence the witnesses even while being inside,” the ASG said.

Mr. Parasaran’s argument, however, was countered by Subramaniam who said bail was a statutory right and Mr. Jagan was entitled to the same as otherwise it would violate his right under article 21 of the Constitution.

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