ED Moves Telangana High Court to Expedite Jagan’s Quid Pro Quo Cases

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Telangana High Court seeking to expedite the trial in alleged quid pro quo investment cases involving former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party president YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. The agency has sought day-to-day hearings and directions requiring all accused to appear personally before the court.

In a writ petition filed on September 23, the ED requested the High Court to intervene, stating that the cases had made little progress despite remaining pending for several years. The agency disclosed the petition on Saturday.

The allegations relate to investments made in companies associated with Jagan and his family in return for alleged benefits granted by the Andhra Pradesh government during the tenure of his father, former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered an FIR against Jagan and 73 others in connection with the alleged arrangements. The ED subsequently launched a money laundering investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Between 2016 and 2021, the ED filed nine prosecution complaints against Jagan and others before the special court dealing with CBI cases in Hyderabad. The court took cognisance of all nine complaints. However, proceedings have remained stalled because discharge petitions filed by the accused are yet to be decided.

The ED stated that judicial officers' transfers and other factors had delayed final decisions on these petitions, leaving the cases at the preliminary stage despite the passage of considerable time.

The ED said the proceedings had been pending for nearly a decade and argued that the pace of the judicial process was unreasonable. Citing Article 21 of the Constitution, which encompasses the right to a speedy trial, the agency sought daily hearings on all nine complaints and the related discharge petitions.

The investigation includes alleged investments in Bharathi Cement Corporation Private Limited, Jagathi Publications Limited and Janani Infrastructure Private Limited. The ED has alleged that investors purchased shares in these companies at prices substantially higher than their assessed value, purportedly in return for government favours.

The allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings. The Telangana High Court is yet to decide on the ED's request to expedite the cases.