CBI must complete probe first before trial

Hyderabad, Feb 28, 2013: Accusing the CBI of playing dramas without filing the final charge sheet in the disproportionate assets case of Sri Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, his counsel S. Niranjan Reddy told the CBI special court on Wednesday that trial in the case should commence only after the probe is completed and final charge sheet submitted by the CBI.

The court should begin the process of framing charges in the case, cited as CC No. 9, only after CBI has completed the investigation and submitted the final charge sheet, Niranjan Reddy told the court citing the judgment of Justice B. Chandra Kumar in the past.

Niranjan Reddy, also recalling an earlier order of the Supreme Court, made it clear that framing of charges is only part of the trial and commencing trial without completing the probe and submitting the final charge sheet in any case is a clear violation of rights of the accused.

It is therefore not correct on CBI’s part to ask for framing of charges without completing the probe and filing the final charge sheet, he pointed out, adding that CBI has only been enacting a drama seeking trial at this stage.

Counsel also told the CBI Judge U. Durga Prasada Rao that he would like to file a discharge petition later seeking removal of Sri Jagan Mohan Reddy’s name from the case as nothing is found against him in the already filed charge sheets. “But if we put forth our objections on framing of charges at this stage, it will jeopardize our case as there is a chance of CBI correcting itself based on our objections,” he argued. 

Court expresses unhappiness over CBI stance

Adjourning the case for further hearing till March 13, CBI court expressed unhappiness over the agency’s non-compliance with its orders. “Why didn’t you file the memos on status of the probe and on reasons for extending the remand of the accused as I have directed? You have to file the memos before the next hearing date at least,” he directed the CBI counsel.

The court later extended the remand of the accused till March 13.