The Supreme Court has requested responses from the CBI and Y S Bhaskar Reddy regarding a plea to revoke his bail in the 2019 murder case of former MP Y S Vivekananda Reddy. The petition, filed by the victim’s daughter, cites concerns over witness tampering and the potential for interference in the ongoing investigation surrounding this politically sensitive case.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday sought responses from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Y S Bhaskar Reddy, father of Kadapa MP Y S Avinash Reddy, regarding a plea challenging the bail granted to him in the high-profile 2019 murder case of former Congress MP Y S Vivekananda Reddy.
A bench led by Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar issued notices while hearing a petition filed by Suneetha Narreddy, daughter of the slain leader, who sought the cancellation of Bhaskar Reddy’s bail.
Y S Vivekananda Reddy, the uncle of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, was found murdered at his residence in Pulivendula, Kadapa district, in March 2019. The CBI, which took over the case in 2020, alleged a deep-rooted conspiracy involving multiple accused, including Bhaskar Reddy and his MP son.
The Telangana High Court granted bail to Bhaskar Reddy on May 3, 2024. However, Suneetha contended that this decision ignored key aspects of the case, including the accused’s potential to influence witnesses and derail the trial.
Suneetha’s plea alleged that Bhaskar Reddy played a pivotal role in planning the murder and tampering with evidence, including disseminating false information that the death was due to a heart attack.
“The Telangana High Court erred in granting bail to Bhaskar Reddy despite the gravity of allegations and prior rejections of his bail pleas based on his likelihood to interfere with the investigation,”
the plea stated.
The petition also claimed that Bhaskar Reddy influenced witnesses, including law enforcement officials, to obstruct the investigation. It argued that the health concerns cited for interim bail were exaggerated or fabricated.
Taking note of the arguments, the Supreme Court directed Bhaskar Reddy and the CBI to respond to the petition and fixed the matter for hearing in March 2025.
This case is part of a larger legal battle surrounding the murder, with the apex court also examining other petitions related to bail orders and allegations of witness intimidation.
The case has witnessed numerous legal twists. On November 19, the Supreme Court issued notices to the Andhra Pradesh police and others based on two separate pleas filed by Suneetha and CBI officer Ram Singh. They alleged that state authorities lodged a counter-FIR against them to derail the investigation.
The counter-FIR accused Suneetha and CBI officials of coercion and torture, which allegedly occurred during the probe. In December 2023, a magistrate in Pulivendula ordered a fresh FIR against Suneetha and others, based on these claims.
The murder of Vivekananda Reddy, which occurred weeks before the 2019 Andhra Pradesh Assembly elections, has fueled suspicions of political motives. After initial investigations by the state police, the CBI assumed control in 2020, with Bhaskar Reddy’s arrest following in April 2023.
The Supreme Court’s decision to scrutinize the bail order and related proceedings reflects its commitment to ensuring justice in this politically charged case. The upcoming hearings will determine whether the Telangana High Court’s bail order will stand or be overturned.
As the case unfolds, it continues to draw attention for its political implications and the challenges of ensuring a fair trial amidst allegations of interference and conspiracy.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE