Jagan DA case: CBI springs a surprise, seeks arrest of two former Andhra ministers

HYDERABAD: In a surprise move, signalling a major setback for chargesheeted former ministers Dharmana Prasada Rao and Sabita Indira Reddy, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday sought the arrest of the two accused on the grounds that they could influence witnesses if they are free. 

The CBI filed a memo to this effect in the trial court urging the two to be sent to judicial custody. The development took place when the two former ministers along with all the other accused in the disproportionate assets case involving Jaganmohan Reddy appeared before the court as per the summons that were served on them.

Apart from the two former ministers, those who made a personal appearance included accused number one Jagan and Mopidevi Venkata Ramana, another former minister who is accused number five in the Vanpic land allotment aspect of the Jagan assets case. 

According to sources, the CBI memo states that Dharmana and Sabita have been telling the media that they are innocent and would come out clean in the end. Therefore, they need to be questioned on this claim and could be saying it because of influencing the witnesses and should be sent to judicial custody, the memo said. 

Dharmana Prasada Rao was revenue minister in the YSR regime and has been charged by the CBI with doling out undue land allotment to the Vanpic project. He was charged in August last year. Sabita was mines minister in the previous regime and has been charged with doling out land and limestone leases illegally to Dalmia Cements company. She was charged in April this year. 

Both the ministers had resigned from the Kiran Kumar Reddy cabinet soon after they were charged but their resignations were forwarded to governor E S L Narasimhan for acceptance only on may 26 this year. 

CBI sources said arguments will take place on the memo that the investigative agency filed in the trial court on Friday after which the judge would announce his verdict. If he goes by the CBI plea, Dharmana and Sabita could end up in jail very soon. 

Friday's development came as a shock for the two former ministers as they had expected to only make an appearance, pay a surety, and leave. The CBI's memo came as a bolt from the blue and although there is no immediate threat of arrest for them, Dharmana and Sabita are expected to hold an emergency meeting with their lawyers to negotiate the new move of the CBI. 

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Jagan-DA-case-CBI-springs-a-surprise-seeks-arrest-of-two-former-Andhra-ministers/articleshow/20474436.cms