AP HC directs CBI, ED to put probe against Naidu on hold

A file picture of TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu during a programme in support of farmers in Butchayyapeta mandal of Visakhapatnam district. Photo: C. V. Subrahmanyam.

The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday directed the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate to put on hold their preliminary investigation into the assets of former Chief Minister and TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu.

A division bench of Justices G Rohini and Asutosh Mohanto on Tuesday kept in abeyance the order earlier passed by the previous division bench to conduct a preliminary enquiry into the allegations of Pulivendula MLA Y S Vijayamma against Naidu over alleged disproportionate assets.

Ms. Vijaya, widow of late Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, had filed the petition seeking a probe by the CBI and the ED against Naidu on various counts.

The High Court had on November 14 directed the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) to conduct an investigation into the assets of the TDP chief.

The CBI, ED and SEBI were then asked to complete the investigation and submit reports independently within three months.