Vivekananda Reddy Murder Case: SC Pulls Up Telangana HC Over Delay In Deciding YSCRP MP's Bail Plea

Avinash Reddy, cousin of Andhra Pradesh Chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, moved the SC contending that the Telangana High Court did not pass any order on his anticipatory bail petition.

The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Telangana High Court to place the anticipatory bail plea filed by YSRCP MP YS Avinash Reddy in the YS Vivekananda Reddy's murder case before the vacation bench of the HC on May 25. YS Avinash Reddy, the cousin of Andhra Pradesh Chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, is under CBI lens in the murder of former Andhra Pradesh Minister YS Vivekananda Reddy.

A vacation bench comprising Justices JK Maheshwari and PS Narasimha expressed displeasure with the Telangana High Court not passing an order. "How much time does it require to pass an order in anticipatory bail?" the court said.

Reddy had moved the apex court contending that the Telangana High Court did not pass any order on his anticipatory bail petition despite hearing the matter for two days.

During the hearing, the bench noted that notices were issued by the CBI, but Reddy did not appear. Senior advocate V Giri, representing Avinash Reddy, said his client appeared seven times.

The bench was informed that a notice was issued on May 15 for an appearance on May 16. Giri said his client sent a letter stating that he needed at least three weeks.

"The matter should be brought before the High Court's vacation bench on May 25 so that the required order can be made after hearing from all parties," the bench said after hearing submissions. The Supreme Court made it clear that the earlier bench that heard the matter would not get in the way of the vacation bench hearing the matter.

The top court was hearing a plea by Suneetha Reddy, daughter of YS Vivekananda Reddy, against any interim protection for Avinash Reddy.

On April 24, the Supreme Court set aside the Telangana High Court, which directed the CBI, investigating the murder of Vivekananda Reddy, to provide a written questionnaire in advance to YS Avinash Reddy, Kadapa MP.

The top court said it was really perturbed by the High Court order, and if the CBI were to arrest Reddy, then they would have done so earlier.

The bench then declined to entertain the submissions of advocate Ranjit Kumar, representing Avinash Reddy, that his client should be protected from arrest for at least 24 hours as the anticipatory bail plea is listed for hearing before the High Court on April 25.

(With IANS inputs)