Approver in Vivekananda Reddy Murder Case Interrogated Over Harassment Allegations
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Synopsis
On February 7, Shaik Dastagiri, an approver in the murder case of Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy, was interrogated about alleged threats during his time in Kadapa Jail. The investigation continues as more individuals are implicated.
Key Takeaways
- Shaik Dastagiri was questioned regarding threats during his incarceration.
- Dastagiri alleges harassment from prison officials and others.
- Investigation is ongoing with further questioning scheduled.
- Vivekananda Reddy was murdered in 2019 before elections.
- The CBI has been involved in the case since 2020.
Amaravati, Feb 7 (NationPress) Shaik Dastagiri, previously an accused and now an approver in the assassination of former Andhra Pradesh minister Y. S. Vivekananda Reddy, faced interrogation on Friday regarding the alleged threats he encountered during his time in Kadapa Jail.
For a duration of three hours, Rajahmundry Central Jail Superintendent S. Rahul conducted the questioning of Dastagiri in Kadapa Jail.
The inquiry officer meticulously documented Dastagiri's account of the harassment he experienced as a remand prisoner from October 2023 to February 2024.
Following the questioning session, Dastagiri returned to his hometown Pulivendula.
The inquiry officer, appointed by the state government, will carry on with the investigation on Saturday and is anticipated to question Dr. D. Chaitanya Reddy, the son of murder accused Shivashankar Reddy, along with Prakash Reddy, the former superintendent of Kadapa Jail.
Both Chaitanya Reddy and Prakash Reddy are among four individuals charged by Pulivendula Police in Kadapa district based on a complaint filed by Dastagiri.
Also booked by the police were Nagaraju, the former Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) of Jammalamadugu, and Eswaraiah, the former Circle Inspector of Erraguntla.
Dastagiri claimed he faced harassment and intimidation during his remand in Kadapa Jail from October 2023 to February 2024. He alleged that DSP Nagaraju and CI Eswaraiah pressured him to align with YSR Congress leaders concerning the case.
Additionally, Dastagiri accused Dr. Chaitanya Reddy of threatening him in November 2023 while still in Kadapa Jail, insisting that he testify against CBI SP Ram Singh. Dastagiri asserts that Chaitanya Reddy offered him Rs 20 crore to falsely implicate Ram Singh. He further claims that the jail superintendent, Prakash, subjected him to harassment during his time in custody.
Despite having previously reported the harassment, Dastagiri stated that no action was taken as the YSR Congress held power.
Dastagiri, initially the fourth accused in this high-profile murder case, later became an approver and has repeatedly expressed concern for his safety.
Having served as the driver for Vivekananda Reddy, Dastagiri alleged that threats to his life and that of his family escalated after he provided two statements to the CBI regarding the case in 2021 and 2022.
Vivekananda Reddy, the brother of former chief minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy and uncle to former chief minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, was murdered in his home in Pulivendula on March 15, 2019, just weeks ahead of the elections.
The 68-year-old ex-state minister and former MP was alone at home when unidentified assailants invaded and killed him.
The CBI took charge of the investigation in 2020, following a directive from the Andhra Pradesh High Court during a hearing on a petition filed by Vivekananda Reddy’s daughter, Suneetha Reddy, who raised suspicions regarding certain relatives.
In an effort to expedite the investigation, the CBI arrested YSR Congress leader and Kadapa MP Y. S. Avinash Reddy's father, Y. S. Bhaskar Reddy, along with their associate Uday Kumar Reddy in 2023.
Avinash Reddy, who is a cousin of Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, was also named as a suspect by the CBI.
