HYDERABAD: In a major development, a new CBI team would investigate the four-year-long case of murder of former minister Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy. The present investigation officer Ram Singh will be discontinued in view of the "poor progress" of the case that the Supreme Court has disapproved of.
The apex court bench expressed anger over the delay in the investigation following a petition by Tulasamma, wife of fifth accused Devineni Shivashnakar Reddy. The petition had sought a change of the investigating officer and pleaded for bail for her husband.
CBI counsel on Wednesday submitted the details of the new team in the Supreme Court. It will consist of SP Vikas Singh, additional SP Mukesh Kumar, inspectors S. Srimathi, Naveen Punia and sub-inspector Ankith.
Investigation officer Ram Singh will not be a part of the new team. Tulassamma had, in her petition, sought to change Ram Singh while the CBI had earlier informed the court that he would also be a part of the new team.
Justice M.R. Shah expressed anger and questioned the necessity of continuing Ram Singh as the investigation officer when the investigation was showing “poor progress” even after four years.
DEADLINE: Meanwhile, the Supreme Court bench directed the CBI to complete the investigations by April 30. It made it clear that the bail plea could be moved in the court if the investigation was more than six months, but it also depended on the merits of the case.
Investigation officer Ram Singh had faced several allegations from the accused and their relatives in Kadapa and Anantapur areas. Udaykumar Reddy, one of the suspects, had lodged a complaint against Ram Singh with the Kadapa police that he was mounting pressure and threatening to give statements against several leaders in connection with the case.
