The CBI Court in Hyderabad will announce its verdict today on AP CM Jaganmohan Reddy’s petition for exemption from personal appearance every Friday. Jagan’s lawyers argued that a financially weakened AP state cannot afford weekly expenditure of Rs. 60 lakh for CM’s appearance. However, the CBI officials argued that such financial considerations or increased status would not be a valid basis for giving relief to an accused person. However highly placed he may be.
It is well known that the CBI court is hearing Jagan’s Rs. 43,000 Cr illegal assets cases for several years. Prior to 2019 general election, Jagan used to attend CBI court every Friday. But later he got relief and became politically active after the CBI did not insist on Jagan’s personal appearance. This was after BJP distanced from the then ruling TDP.
Now, political equations changed dramatically in just five months of Jagan’s rule. The BJP government at the Centre is acting tough against YCP decisions on PPAs, Amaravati, Polavaram, etc. Expectedly. the CBI restarted its petition for Jagan weekly appearance in court. CBI’s contention is that as CM, Jagan will influence the witnesses and tamper evidence. Moreover, most witnesses joined Jagan government as top officers. If the CBI continues the same argument, it may lead to Jagan losing his bail and getting jailed once again.
