Why should Jagan’s remand be extended ?

Hyderabad, Feb 15,
2013: Coming down heavily on the CBI which has been prolonging the case against
YSR Congress Party chief Sri Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and denying bail to him on
frivolous grounds, the CBI special court at Nampally in Hyderabad asked the
investigating agency to show reasons why his remand should be extended any
more.

Extending his remand
till Feb 27, the court on Thursday directed the CBI to file a memo by that date
explaining the status of investigation into the case and the reasons why the
remand of Sri Jagan Mohan Reddy and others should be extended further.

Asking the CBI to file
such memos every 14 days henceforth, the CBI judge U. Durga Prasada Rao pointed
out that it was necessary for the investigating agency to inform the progress
of the case despite the Supreme Court not imposing a deadline for completing
the probe.

Firmly telling the CBI
that he will proceed with recording of the charges in the case beginning Feb
27, the judge told the CBI counsel to produce Sri Jagan Mohan Reddy before him
on that date.

“You should make it
clear on that date whether you are ready or not to commence recording of the
charges against Sri Jagan Mohan Reddy and others in the case,” the judge
directed CBI counsel.

Disclosing that the CBI
counsel has assured the Supreme Court last September that the charge sheet
would be filed as soon as possible in the case, counsel for Sri Jagan Mohan
Reddy objected to the stance of the CBI.

“Keeping the accused
unnecessarily in the jail is in contravention of the Article 21 of the
Constitution, according to Supreme Court. Does the CBI mean 6 months when it
says as soon as possible?” asked Ashok Reddy, counsel for Sri Jagan Mohan
Reddy, quoting the apex court’s judgment in AR Antualy Vs RS Naik case.

Concurring with the
argument, the CBI court directed the CBI counsel to file the memos at periodic
intervals in the case.