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CBI froze currentnaccounts of Jagati publications and Indira Television.
The move by the agency comes a day after a special CBI court in Hyderabad had issued summons to the YSR Congress president directing him to appear before it on May 28 in a disproportionate assets case. Seizure of Bank accounts is expected to cripple YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has written to the State Bank of India in Hyderabd, directing it to freeze the accounts of three large parts of his considerable empire - Jagathi Publications, Indira TV and Janani Infrastructure - pending an inquiry by it
The CBI believes Mr Reddy, one of India’s richest politicians with declared assets worth 365 crores, benefited from his father’s position as chief minister. YS Rajasekhara Reddy, who died while in office in 2009, allegedly asked companies to invest in Jagan’s firms and in return, they were granted licenses or other clearances.
Jagan's supporters allege that the move is politically motivated. They say that the leader's political opponents are unable to take on and deal with his growing political popularity and that this is a desperate attempt to try and stop him. They intend to challenge the order in court.
The move to freeze accounts happened even as Jagan was campaigning in Anantpur district, ahead of by-elections next month.
Meanwhile, Jagathi Publications that runs Sakshi newspaper and Indira Television that runs Sakshi TV have called this an attempt to stifle the media and an attack on the freedom of the press. They will complain to the Press Council of India. The employees of the three companies are worried about what will happen to them.
Political analyst K Nageswar says that while the CBI is acting within the law in freezing the accounts, notices should have been issued prior to the action and economic flexibility should have been allowed pending the probe, since there are only allegations as yet to be tried in a court of law.
CBI booked Jagan and 73 companies and individuals in August last year on the directions of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. Others named in the chargesheet are Jagan’s close aide Vijay Sai Reddy, Jagati Publications Private Limited (JPPL), Ayodhya Rami Reddy, IAS officer Venkatrami Reddy, and Ramkey Pharma.
