Viveka murder case: Erra Gangi Reddy surrenders before CBI court

ANANTAPUR: Erra Gangi Reddy, first accused in the case of murder of former minister YS Vivekananda Reddy, surrendered before the CBI Court at Nampalli in Hyderabad on Friday. This follows a TS High Court order after its cancellation of his bail.

The CBI court remanded Erra Gangi Reddy to judicial custody till June 2 and he was shifted to Chanchalguda prison after completion of the necessary formalities. Meanwhile, CBI sought Erra Gangi’s custody to interrogate him and extract vital information from him vis-à-vis the Viveka case. The CBI was so far unable to question him after the case was transferred to it from the AP police and CID.
Erra Gangi Reddy, was named as first accused in the case a few days after the murder of the former minister at his residence on March 15, 2019. However, Erra Gangi got bail from a Kadapa court on the ground that no charge sheet was filed against him within 90 days of the arrest.

Four persons including Gangi Reddy and Dastagiri had been arrested in connection with the case. Dastagiri turned approver and was granted bail while two accused couldn't get bail.

Gangi Reddy was released on default bail on June 27, 2019. Thereafter, the case was transferred to the CBI following the filing of a petition by the deceased’s daughter Dr Sunitha, who was not satisfied with the investigations by the AP police.

CBI had approached the AP high court seeking cancellation of bail of Gangi Reddy, saying that he was threatening the witnesses and this was adversely impacting the case. But, the AP high court dismissed the petition.

Thereafter, CBI and Sunitha approached the Supreme Court with a similar appeal. CBI again transferred the case to TS high court and the central agency succeeded in convincing the court to cancel the bail of Erra Gangi Reddy.  
The TS high court, after cancelling the bail, directed Gangi Reddy to surrender before the CBI court by May 5. If not, CBI can arrest him.

CBI sources said the AP police failed to hold the investigation properly due to political pressure. CBI wants to extract more information from Erra Reddy, including on the cash offer to the other accused. Gangi Reddy had allegedly stage-managed the entire incident of March 15, 2019, including the murder plan.