Zee Media Bureau
New Delhi: YSR Congress chief, Jaganmohan Reddy, was granted bail on Monday in the disproportionate assets case after spending nearly 16 months in the Chanchalguda Central Jail.
Special CBI court judge U Durgaprasada Rao granted bail to Jaganmohan Reddy on a personal bond of Rs two lakh and two securities of the like amount.
The judge directed Jaganmohan not to leave Hyderabad without the court`s permission and not to directly or indirectly induce or influence the witnesses. Besides, he was asked to be present before the court during the proceedings in the case.
The court said CBI can approach for cancellation of bail if Jaganmohan violates any of these conditions.
Jagan had moved a bail application in a special court in Hyderabad on September 11, seeking relief on the ground that CBI investigations into the corruption case against him were over.
The Supreme Court had on May 9 rejected the YSR Congress leader`s bail plea and directed CBI to complete investigations and file chargesheet within four months.
Thereafter, the appellant could move the trial court, which would be "free to consider the prayer for bail independently on its merits without being influenced by dismissal of the present appeal," the Supreme Court had said.
The CBI counsel, however, had argued that "the observation of the Supreme Court pertains to completion of investigation and the petitioner (Jagan) is not automatically entitled for release on bail."
"The petitioner is a highly-influential person and if he is released on bail it will frustrate the process of trial," CBI counsel said.
In his bail plea, Jaganmohan said in view of the ongoing agitation in coastal Andhra and Rayalaseema regions over the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, there was a need for him to be with the people and lead the stir as a leader of a political party.
The premier investigative agency has filed 10 chargesheets in the DA case against Jaganmohan Reddy so far, the last two on September 17.
Several former and serving ministers and bureaucrats are also accused in the case.
Jaganmohan, arrested by the CBI on May 27 last year on charges of amassing disproportionate assets, was since lodged in prison under judicial remand. The case relates to investments made by various companies in Jagan`s firms as quid quo pro for various favours bestowed on them during the tenure of his father YS Rajasekhara Reddy as Chief Minister between 2004 and 2009.
Meanwhile, celebrations broke out outside the court as soon as Jagan`s supporters heard the news. They burst firecrackers and exchanged sweets. Jaganmohan`s wife Bharathi and several YSR Congress leaders were present in the courtroom.
Later, YSRC spokesman Ambati Rambabu expressed full faith in the judiciary and said their leader will come out clean after the trial.
With PTI inputs
