Hyderabad:
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today arrested Vijayasai Reddy, the auditor of companies owned by Jagan Mohan Reddy in connection with the disproportionate assets case against the YSR Congress chief. Vijayasai was arrested after he appeared before the investigating agency for questioning, CBI sources said.
Vijayasai has had close association with late Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YSR Reddy's family for over three decades. He was quizzed for many days after the CBI started investigating the case against Jagan. He also appeared before the Enforcement Directorate on behalf of Jagan in the case related to alleged money laundering and foreign exchange violations. This is the first arrest in the disproportionate assets case against Jagan.
The CBI has alleged that YSR Reddy, who was one of Andhra Pradesh's most popular chief ministers, had granted licences and contracts to companies who invested in different businesses owned by Jagan.
YSR died in a helicopter crash in 2009 while he was in office. His death forced a divide between his party, the Congress and Jagan, who was upset about not being named his father's successor. After a long and public revolt, Jagan launched his own party named the YSR Congress.
Jagan is one of India's richest politicians. He represents his father's constituency, Kadapa, in the Lok Sabha. Before he won his election in May last year, he declared assets worth Rs 365 crore - a massive increase from 2009, when he had said his assets totalled Rs 77 crore.
(
With PTI Inputs)