SC-CBI probe into Andhra firms

The Supreme Court on Wednesdsay declined to interfere in the order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which had asked four investigating agencies to probe into allegations against certain companies for receiving favours from ex-chief minister Chandrababu Naidu.

The Bench headed by Justice Dalveer Bhandari asked the companies to go back to the High Court if they wanted any modification or vacation of its recent order. In that event, the High Court will dispose of their petitions in 15 days.

The companies which moved the Supreme Court on Wednesdsay are Madhucon Sugar Ltd of N N Rao, MP, Ushodya Enterprises of Ramoji Rao and Ritwik Group of C M Ramesh. Their senior counsel Anil Divan and U U Lalit argued that the High Court did not hear them before ordering investigation against them.

The case was moved with political objectives, they argued. The original petition was moved by Y S Vijaya, widow of ex-chief minister Y S Rajashekhar Reddy. She had pointed fingers against several other companies also.

The High Court had asked the CBI, Sebi, the Enforcement Directorate and the state DGP to look into the allegations made in the petition.