Jaganmohan Reddy released from jail

After spending nearly 16 months in prison in a corruption case, YSR Congress president Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy Tuesday walked out to a warm welcome by his supporters.

The MP from Kadapa emerged from Chanchalguda Central Jail at 4 p.m. amid tumultuous scenes outside. With folded hands, he greeted hundreds of supporters who had gathered at the main gate to welcome him.

The supporters showered petals on Jagan, who was seen requesting them to make way for his convoy. The convoy later left for his residence at Lotus Pond in Jubliee Hills.

Jagan, as the young leader is popularly known, sat in a bullet proof vehicle, escorted by several security personnel, who form part of his 'Z' category security.

YSR Congress leaders and activists were accompanying him in cars and bikes. Holding party flags and Jagan's portraits, they were raising slogans of 'Jai Jagan'.

Even after an hour, the convoy was still on its way to Jagan's residence. It passed through the busy Malakpet, Nalgonda X Roads, Chaderghat, Koti and Moazzam Jahi Market.

At some place enroute, the young leader got down from his vehicle to respond to the supporters' cheers with folded hands. The supporters garlanded him.

A special court Monday granted conditional bail to Jagan in case of owning assets disproportionate to known sources of income. The court has directed him not to leave Hyderabad without court's permission and not to influence the witnesses.

The activity for Jagan's release began Tuesday morning with Jagan's lawyers completing the bail formalities at the court. A personal bond of Rs.2 lakh was executed on behalf of Jagan while two sureties of the like sum were also deposited.

Later, armed with the release orders, Jagan's lawyers reached the jail. The jail authorities released the YSR Congress leader after some formalities.

Police had made tight security arrangements at Chanchalguda Central Jail as a large number of Jagan's supporters gathered there since early Tuesday to welcome their leader. Policemen and even paramilitary force personnel were deployed around the jail.

At Lotus Pond, Jagan's residence and party office was teeming with party activists and supporters, who came from different parts of the state to catch a glimpse of their leader.

Holding party flags and raising slogans of 'Jai Jagan', they were seen bursting crackers and distributing sweets. Some of them were dancing in gay abandon.

The son of late chief minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in May last year.

The investigating agency has filed 10 charge sheets against Jagan, four state ministers, IAS officials and businessmen.