CBI contests claims of helping corruption case accused

Refuting claims that an accused was favoured by its top brass, CBI today said no attempt had been made by its functionaries to provide any "help" to any of the accused in the alleged corruption case involving Emaar and Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation.
"It appears from the news report that the story is presumptive and conclusions drawn are speculative and based on inaccurate facts and is aimed at destroying the credibility of the CBI as an institution. It may also be noted that the matter is subjudice," CBI spokesperson Kanchan Prasad said.
Her remark came in the wake of reports that businessman Pradeep Koneru had sought help of controversial meat exporter Moin Qureshi to favour, through one "Boss", his father Koneru Rajendra Prasad and brother Madhu Koneru, both accused in the corruption case.

"No attempt, as attributed, had been made by any of the CBI functionary to provide any 'help' to any of the accused in the case," she said.
"The relaxation in the bail condition sought by the accused was strongly opposed by CBI when it came up for hearing. However, it is for the courts to decide on these matters and not the CBI," she said.
The agency said drawing inferences to link BBM messages to the CBI director is at best a mere speculation.

"Koneru Rajendra Prasad, an accused in Emmar case, was released on bail on August 12, 2012 on the orders of high court whereas the news item has reported that 'his son Pradeep Koneru sought the help of Moin Qureshi to arrange meeting with 'Boss' on May 20, 2013 for bail applications and discharge petitions of Koneru Rajendra Prasad, his father and Madhu Koneru, his brother," Prasad said.

She said Koneru Rajendra Prasad was out on bail about nine months ago and Madhu Koneru was never arrested in this case, although he was charge sheeted as an accused.
"Regarding the discharge petitions, Koneru Rajendra Prasad filed discharge petition on April 29, 2013 in the court and CBI has filed its counter reply against this discharge petition opposing the plea of discharge on May 6, 2013 and the same is still pending for arguments," she said.