Jagan remanded to judicial custody till June 25

CBI alleges that he and his late father had hatched a conspiracy to defraud the government

YSR Congress president Jaganmohan Reddy will remain in jail with a special CBI court today extending his judicial custody till June 25 in the disproportionate assets case.

Jagan was in CBI custody from June 3-7 and the Andhra Pradesh High Court had extended his custodial interrogation with the central agency for two days on Friday last.

Jagan was produced before the court of principal judge for CBI cases here today.

The court had earlier issued PT (prisoner on transit) warrant against Jagan and summoned others accused to appear before it today, after it took cognisance of second and third charge sheets filed by the CBI against Jagan and others, in the alleged disproportionate assets case.

CBI officials, who took custody of the Kadapa MP from Chanchalguda Central prison, are said to have grilled him over the "conspiracy that had been detected in foreign countries and had a long trail."

39-year-old Jagan was arrested on May 27 by the central agency after his three-day questioning at the Dilkusha guest house over alleged investments to the tune of several crores from various individuals and companies into his businesses, for the favours granted by the then YSR regime during 2004-09.

The CBI was earlier given an extension for custodial interrogation of Jagan by the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Friday last, after the agency informed the court that it had new material and secured valuable depositions from some witnesses in the case with which it wanted to confront Jagan.

In its three charge sheets filed against Jagan and others, the CBI alleged that he and his late father had hatched a conspiracy to defraud the government with Jagan influencing Rajasekhara Reddy in doling out certain favours to various investors, who made investments of several crores into Jagan's businesses.

The CBI has filed a petition before the court of principal judge for CBI cases for carrying out scientific tests (narco and polygraphic examination) on him and another key accused and his financial advisor V Vijaysai Reddy.

"During the investigation it has emerged Jagan being the main beneficiary of all the ill-gotten money through various dubious methods including suspected hawala method and Vijay as the main kingpin and conspirator with Jagan to have alleged committed the offences," the CBI submitted.

Meanwhile, Jagan accused the Andhra Pradesh government of trying to humiliate him by bringing him in a van used for transporting regular criminals without regard to his status as special class prisoner and his stature as an MP.

"My security was seriously compromised with Chenchalguda Jail authorities producing me before the court in a van," Jagan said.

As soon as he was produced before the court of principal judge for CBI cases A Pullaiah, Jagan complained to the judge that he being an MP and President of YSR congress party was deliberately brought in a van in order to humiliate him.

He also threatened to go on indefinite fast, if he was denied an opportunity to explain his stand before the judge.

"It is only with an intention to appear before the court, I did not protest or refuse to come in the van though I was aware of the 'mischief' and 'vendetta' being exhibited by the government and authorities," Jagan told the judge.

"Everybody knows CBI arrested me to stop me from campaign for coming bypolls," he alleged.