The Supreme Court on Monday questioned the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on a serious note over the delay in completing an investigation into the murder of former MP Y.S.Vivekananda Reddy, directing the agency to submit the latest status report in a sealed cover.
A division bench of Justice C.T.Ravi Kumar and Justice M.R.Shah said that four years was sufficient time for a probe and in case of more delay the investigating officers must be replaced the bench opined.
The bench was hearing a petition by Tulasamma, wife of accused D.Shivashankar Reddy, who expressed doubts about the ongoing investigation by the CBI and questioned why her husband continues to be jailed for long, under the pretext of the probe.
During the hearing, Justice Shah sought to know the latest status, to which the CBI lawyer and Additional Solicitor General Natarajan, said the investigation was going on properly.
Reacting to it, the bench questioned: “Will it take years if things go smoothly? If there is more delay… then change the investigating officer or convey it to the director of the CBI.” The court, instructing Natarajan to ascertain from the CBI director whether the investigation officer can be replaced and adjourned the case to March 27.
Y.S.Vivekananda Reddy, paternal uncle of AP CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy was murdered on March 15, 2019.The investigation was transferred to the CBI in 2020 on the direction of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, on a petition filed by Vivekananda Reddy’s daughter Sunitha Reddy, who raised suspicion about some relatives.
