CBI Accuses Retired IAS Official Ajeya of Changing Statements in Viveka Murder Probe

HYDERABAD: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday accused retired IAS official Ajeya Kallam of changing his statements under external influence, in the probe of Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy’s murder.

The action comes after Kallam accused the CBI of distorting his statements.

The CBI contended that Ajeya Kallam's writ petition lacked merit and should not have been filed at this stage. The CBI further noted that Kallam, as a former senior bureaucrat, should have faith in the investigation and judicial process rather than attempting to obstruct the administration of criminal justice. The CBI stated that an audio recording was made of his examination as a witness and enclosed a copy of the recording in a sealed cover for the court's review. They urged the court to dismiss Ajey Kallam’s writ petition and impose exemplary costs as a deterrent.

In a petition filed in the Telangana High Court, Kallam alleged that the CBI changed his version of information he had shared about events at Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy’s residence at Lotus Pond on the day of Vivekananda Reddy’s murder. Kallam said he was at Jagan Mohan Reddy’s house on the day of the crime to discuss the YSRC election manifesto for the 2019 elections.

During the discussion, the AP Chief Minister exited the room to attend a phone call and on his return, shared that his uncle had died.

Kallam alleged that instead, the CBI submitted that Jagan Mohan was called by his wife at around 5 a.m., and he returned after 10 minutes, informing those present that his uncle died of health issues.

Stating the same, Kallam asked the court to set aside the CBI’s version and direct the agency to record his statement again.

However, the CBI filed a counterclaiming Kallam’s petition as a gross abuse of the process of law and it was not maintainable. It said that Kallam, who worked as chief secretary then and is currently principal advisor to the AP Chief Minister, was being influenced to retract his version.

The CBI said his statement was recorded under Section 161 of CrPC by additional SP Mukesh Sharma of the agency.

It stated in the counter: “Following instances emanating from the averments of Kallam in the petition, irresistibly establish that the averments made in the petition are not only afterthoughts but the same have been made with intent to damage the prosecution case despite the fact that the statement was recorded as per his will at his residence on April 29, 2023.”

The CBI also informed the court that Kallam had not lodged a complaint against officials, despite being aware of the intent of recording a statement under the CrPC provisions as he was an IAS officer.

“He is a retired IAS officer well versed about the purpose of statement recorded… Create the presumption in favor of the investigating officer unless and until there are other circumstances suggesting mala fide on the part of the investigating officer,” the CBI submitted.

“The statement recorded by IO is in accordance with law and the same has been read over and explained to the witness,” the CBI said.