The special court of Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate cases in Hyderabad continues to remain tough with YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
On Friday, the court once again dismissed Jagan’s petition seeking exemption from personal appearances in connection with hearing on the five charge sheets filed by the ED with regard to alleged money laundering cases.
The judge is learnt to have made some harsh comments stating that Jagan cannot continuously seek exemptions from court appearances.
It ruled that Jagan should compulsorily appear before it for the next hearing on January 31 and if he failed to so, he would be constrained to pass “appropriate orders.”
Jagan filed the petition stating that being the chief minister of AP, he would be busy with his official engagements. He requested that his co-accused from Jagathi Publications be allowed to appear on his behalf in the ED cases.
The ED, however, strongly objected to his request, stating that Jagan could influence the witnesses using his authority as the chief minister, if he was given exemption. The court agreed with the ED and dismissed Jagan’s plea.
The court gave an exemption to Jagan to appear in the court for this week, but said he should compulsorily attend the hearings from next week.
On January 3, the court gave a similar order, dismissing his petition seeking exemption from personal appearances in the court in connection with the CBI cases. As a result, Jagan was forced to attend the court in Hyderabad on January 10.