YSR Congress party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Friday filed a petition in the special court for CBI cases in Hyderabad, seeking exemption from personal appearance in the ongoing disproportionate assets case.
The court had earlier directed Jagan to appear in person on November 14, following his return from a Europe tour. With that date approaching, his petition has now assumed significance.
Jagan’s plea stated that his court appearance requires special security arrangements involving multiple government departments, causing inconvenience to the administration.
He requested that the court exempt him from personal appearance, or alternatively, allow him to attend through video conference.
He also clarified that if the court deemed his physical presence absolutely necessary, he would comply with its directions.
The disproportionate assets case, which has dragged on for over a decade, has seen repeated delays due to discharge petitions filed by various accused.
The Supreme Court had earlier instructed the trial courts to expedite hearings and deliver verdicts swiftly. Acting on these directions, the CBI Court has recently intensified the pace of proceedings.
The central investigative agencies — CBI and ED — have informed the Supreme Court that the discharge petitions filed by accused individuals were slowing down the investigation and trial.
Jagan’s latest plea comes at a time when there is public and political pressure for faster progress in the case. Legal observers note that if Jagan does appear personally on November 14, it could signal a new phase in the long-pending trial.
