YSR Congress party president and Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy may not need to make a personal appearance before the special court for Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate cases in Hyderabad on January 31, if the directions given by the Telangana high court are any indication.
The high court on Tuesday admitted a petition filed by Jagan on Monday challenging the order of the special court for Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate cases in Hyderabad denying him exemption from personal appearances in connection with the cases of disproportionate assets and money laundering against him.
The court heard the arguments put forth by Jagan’s counsel seeking exemption from personal appearances in the court.
He argued that Jagan would not be able to attend the court every Friday as he had the Constitutional responsibility of discharging his official duties in the capacity of the chief minister.
“Moreover, his regular visits to the court would also cause huge burden on the state exchequer, as the official machinery had to make arrangements for his security and travel every week,” he said.
When the counsel for the CBI opposed the petition, the high court asked the CBI to file a counter with all the details as to why personal exemption cannot be given to Jagan. The court posted the case to February 6.
When Jagan’s counsel asked for exemption for him to attend the CBI court on January 31, the high court judge directed him to file a petition in the CBI court saying that the case was under the examination of the high court.
If the CBI court entertains this petition as per the directions of the high court, Jagan may not have to attend the court next Friday and also till the high court disposes of his petition.