HC directs CBI to not arrest Avinash Reddy till Monday

Hyderabad: In a temporary relief to YSRC Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy, the Telangana High Court on Friday directed the CBI to not take action against him until Monday when it will decide on the next course of action in the murder case of Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy.

Justice K. Lakshman of the Telangana High Court gave the order while hearing Avinash Reddy’s writ petition. The MP complained that the CBI was not conducting the probe against him in a fair and transparent manner.

The court prima facie felt there were some lapses and directed the CBI to furnish audio and video records of its investigation and questioning of the accused, on Monday in a hard disk.

The court also said a lawyer could accompany Avinash Reddy at his appearance before the CBI.

Senior counsel T. Niranjan Reddy, representing  Avinash Reddy, said: “On the two previous occasions, the CBI did not record either the audio or video of the questioning.  Avinash Reddy’s signature was not taken on the statements.”

He said the CBI superintendent of police had edited Avinash Reddy’s statement at least 50 times. “Since no signatures were taken, we suspect that Avinash Reddy’s statement could be altered,” senior counsel argued.

Niranjan Reddy said he apprehended that the son-in-law of   Vivekananda Reddy was the real culprit and his involvement must be investigated. He requested the court to not allow coercive steps against Avinash Reddy.

CBI counsel said the agency was video-recording the questioning of Avinash Reddy. CBI SP Ramsingh had brought the hard disk of the audio and video recording to the High Court and the agency was ready to submit it to the court, he said.

The court directed the CBI to file the records in the sealed cover by Monday.

CBI counsel submitted  that the agency had taken the opinion of the Forensic Science Laboratory on the letter found at the scene of the murder; it was stated that the victim had written the letter under extreme pressure. The High Court directed the CBI to submit the letter and FSL report.

Dr N. Suneetha, Vivekananda Reddy’s daughter, filed an implead petition requesting the court to hear her contentions.

Senior counsel L. Ravichander, representing Dr Suneetha, argued that she was a victim and her voice should be heard before giving any relief to Avinash Reddy. The court said it would hear senior counsel’s contentions on Monday.