AP govt to order CBI probe into 'sabotage' claims

Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy said the Central Bureau of Investigation would be asked to look into the 'speculations' of a conspiracy behind the death of former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

Speaking to the media late on Thursday night, after violent mobs targeted the Reliance group's showrooms, retail outlets, offices and other facilities following a report on a TV channel, she said the government would try to get the CBI report at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh police has booked a case against a Telugu television news channel for carrying "unverified" report alleging that a Mumbai-based corporate house -- referring to the corporate houses of Anil and Mukesh Ambani -- had been involved in an alleged conspiracy behind the death of Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in September last year.

Director General of Police R Girish Kumar addressed an emergency press conference after midnight and said that the Hyderabad city police commissioner would serve a notice on the channel asking it to shut its telecast immediately.

The case was being charged under section under 153 (B) among others for creating discord and provoking violence in the state.

He said similar action would be taken against all channels that carried similar reports based on allegations published on a Russian website.

"To our knowledge it is an old report which was already discussed in the media in the past," he said.

Kumar said the police would also investigate the report carried by the television channel. "We will find out the basis of such an allegation," he said.

He said the miscreants had not only attacked the properties of Reliance group, but they had also indulged in looting and arson.

Warning that the police will take firm and effective action against rioters to suppress the violence, he appealed to the people to remain calm and exercise patience.

"Violence will bring a bad name to the state and affect its progress and development," he said.

The DGP said the Reliance properties were targeted at several places and a Reliance mall was attacked in Anantapur district. Without giving the specific numbers, he said nine such reports were reported from Hyderabad and Cyberabad cities where section 144 has been imposed.

In regard to the investigations into the helicopter crash on September 2 in which YSR and four others had died, Girish Kumar said several agencies including the Central Bureau of Investigation were on the job.

"Nobody in government was interested in suppressing or hiding the facts," he said.

The DGP said that the government was trying to get the investigations completed at the earliest and bring the facts before the people.