VIJAYAWADA: The Supreme Court observed on Monday that the position of an individual as chief minister should not hinder the progress of criminal trials.
Questioning the prolonged trial of cases concerning instances of alleged quid pro quo and money-laundering against Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, SC expressed displeasure with CBI for poor progress in the matter.
Narasapuram MP K Raghu Ramakrishna Raju approached SC with a plea to revoke Jagan’s bail. Claiming that several adjournments taken by the accused were nothing but an abuse of the process of law, he contended that because of the delay in starting trial there was every chance that witnesses may turn hostile as the accused hold a very influential office. SC previously issued notices in this regard.
During Monday’s hearing, a bench comprising Justices Sanjeev Khanna and Dipankar Datta questioned the CBI about the prolonged trial period. The CBI, represented by additional solicitor general SV Raju, attributed the delay to multiple discharge petitions filed by the accused. Reiterating that neither political considerations nor the accused’s high rank should slow down the trial, the SC bench directed the central agency to file an affidavit within four weeks explaining the reasons for the prolonged trial. The bench also mentioned that a separate petition by Raghu Ramakrishna Raju requesting transfer of the trial to another state would be considered alongside the bail cancellation plea.
Next hearing of the matter has been scheduled for the week commencing Aug 5.
Questioning the prolonged trial of cases concerning instances of alleged quid pro quo and money-laundering against Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, SC expressed displeasure with CBI for poor progress in the matter.
Narasapuram MP K Raghu Ramakrishna Raju approached SC with a plea to revoke Jagan’s bail. Claiming that several adjournments taken by the accused were nothing but an abuse of the process of law, he contended that because of the delay in starting trial there was every chance that witnesses may turn hostile as the accused hold a very influential office. SC previously issued notices in this regard.
During Monday’s hearing, a bench comprising Justices Sanjeev Khanna and Dipankar Datta questioned the CBI about the prolonged trial period. The CBI, represented by additional solicitor general SV Raju, attributed the delay to multiple discharge petitions filed by the accused. Reiterating that neither political considerations nor the accused’s high rank should slow down the trial, the SC bench directed the central agency to file an affidavit within four weeks explaining the reasons for the prolonged trial. The bench also mentioned that a separate petition by Raghu Ramakrishna Raju requesting transfer of the trial to another state would be considered alongside the bail cancellation plea.
Next hearing of the matter has been scheduled for the week commencing Aug 5.