YS Vivekananda Reddy Murder Case: CBI Set To Arrest YSRCP MP YS Avinash Reddy Amidst Skipped Questioning

The CBI officials were holding talks with top officials of Kunrool district, reportedly to make the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MP surrender.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is expected to apprehend YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MP YS Avinash Reddy, who has missed two consecutive appearances for questioning in the murder case of former Andhra Pradesh minister YS Vivekananda Reddy.

CBI officials reportedly hurried to Kurnool after the MP informed them once again that he couldn't attend the scheduled session on Monday due to his mother's deteriorating health. Avinash Reddy has been residing at Kurnool's Viswa Bharati Hospital, where his 70-year-old mother is receiving treatment for a heart-related ailment.

Discussions were held between CBI officials and top Kunrool district authorities, with the aim of facilitating the surrender of the YSRCP MP. Increased police presence was observed around Viswa Bharathi Hospital, where Avinash Reddy has been staying for four days. Police personnel also tried to prevent Avinash Reddy's supporters from gathering in the area in response to rumors of his impending arrest.

To recall, Avinash Reddy previously failed to appear before the CBI on May 16, citing prior commitments in his parliamentary constituency. However, the central agency promptly issued a fresh notice, directing him to appear at their regional office in Hyderabad on Friday at 11 a.m.

On May 19, the MP informed the CBI that he couldn't attend the session due to his mother falling ill. Avinash Reddy departed for his hometown of Pulivendula in Kadapa from Hyderabad on Friday morning and has since been staying at the hospital.

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Avinash Reddy has already undergone questioning by the CBI on four occasions. Last month, he filed an anticipatory bail petition with the Telangana High Court, seeking protection from potential arrest. However, the court adjourned the hearing until June 5 and declined to issue an order restraining the CBI from taking strict action against him in relation to the case.

Vivekananda Reddy, the brother of former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy and uncle of Jagan Mohan Reddy, was discovered murdered at his residence in Pulivendula, Kadapa district, on the night of March 15, 2019, just days before the elections.

In a related development, YS Bhaskar Reddy, Avinash Reddy's father and a cousin of Rajasekhara Reddy, was arrested by the CBI last month.