CBI grills Jagan again in disproportionate assets case

Hyderabad: Kadapa MP Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Saturday appeared before the CBI for the second round of questioning in connection with the alleged disproportionate assets case.

Jagan, who was grilled for more than eight hours on Friday, was questioned about the alleged irregularities with regard to VANPIC project, according to CBI sources. He was questioned in the presence of other accused Nimmagadda Prasad, an industrialist, and Brahamananda Reddy, former special secretary Infrastructure Department Andhra Pradesh.

Terming the quizzing as “peaceful”, the Kadapa MP said that “clarifications have been sought and have been given. I will be facing them (CBI) again. I will be giving them further clarifications.”

The CBI had already arrested state excise minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana Rao, who held infrastructure portfolio during Y S Rajasekhara Reddy’s regime. CBI alleged that the government orders issued by Mopidevi and Brahamanda Reddy with regard to VANPIC project were not according to Cabinet decisions. This is for the first time since the CBI lodged an FIR against him in August last, and subsequently filed three charge sheets against him, that Jagan was quizzed by the agency.

The CBI alleges that Jagan “influenced” his father and late Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy into doling out favours to select investors as a quid-pro-quo for investing into his businesses.

The probe agency had earlier said it wanted to question Jagan on the Vadarevu and Nizampatnam Ports and Industrial Corridor (VANPIC) deal in the presence of Nimmagadda Prasad and Brahamananda Reddy who are already under arrest. Prasad is the promoter in the VANPIC deal and allegedly invested Rs 850 crore in the business of Jagan for land allotment made to the VANPIC project by the then YSR regime.