SC issues stay on HC order against Avinash Reddy's arrest

ANANTAPUR: In a fresh twist in the trial of the Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy murder case, the Supreme Court on Friday issued a stay on the TS High Court order against arrest of YSRC Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy till April 25.

The order was passed on a petition filed by Vivekananda Reddy’s daughter Dr Suneetha Nareddy against the High Court order. The apex court will take up the hearing on Monday

A bench of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice P.S. Narasimha issued notice on the plea challenging protection to Avinash Reddy. The apex court also directed the CBI not to arrest Avinash Reddy till Monday.

The top court was hearing a plea filed by Dr Suneetha Narreddy, daughter Vivekananda Reddy, challenging the High Court order which the apex court called “atrocious and unacceptable”.

Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Dr Nareddy, said the investigation was transferred from to Hyderabad due to political patronage being enjoyed by Avinash Reddy in Andhra Pradesh.

Senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, appearing for Avinash Reddy, said his client was sitting with CBI and may be arrested due to the order.

The judges criticised the interim directions of the TS High Court after counsel for Dr Nareddy said the Supreme Court had given the CBI a deadline of April 30 to complete its investigations. Senior counsel Siddharth Luthra informed the SC that even when Vivekananda Reddy was found lying in a pool of blood, the accused had “bluffed” by spreading false news of a cardiac arrest.

The fourth accused had turned approver and the CBI had arrested Avinash Reddy’s father Y.S. Bhaskar Reddy and another person, Uday Kumar Reddy. In this context, the TS High Court had issued orders to the CBI not to arrest Avinash Reddy and directed it to provide a copy of the questionnaire to the MP during questioning, Luthra said.

Senior counsel added that the accused was likely to be treated as a “guest” during the investigation. Then circle inspector Shankaraiah, who was suspended on allegations of “negligence when the accused washed away evidence” at the spot, was promoted by the time the CBI went to record his statement under CRPC 160, senior counsel said.

CBI counsel supported Dr Nareddy’s petition and stressed that the one who got the interim order was an MP and the murder of  Vivekananda Redy was connected to political issues. The CBI has all the evidence of a conspiracy for political gain. A supari of about Rs. 40 crore was given and a part of this amount was paid to the accused, the court was told.