Jagan to remain in jail, CBI seeks go ahead for narco test

YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy will remain in jail for two more weeks with a Central Bureau of Investigation court on Monday extending his judicial remand till June 25 in a disproportionate assets case even as the agency sought permission to carry out a lie detection test on him.

The court order comes a day before the crucial by-poll to 18 Assembly seats and one Lok Sabha constituency in Andhra Pradesh for which Jagan's plea to be released on bail for campaign was rejected earlier by the court.

The arrest of 39-year-old Jagan on May 27 became the dominant issue during campaigning with his mother and YSR Congress party's honorary president Y S Vijaya Lakshmi spearheading the canvassing.

The CBI filed a petition before the court of principal judge for CBI cases for carrying out scientific tests (narco and polygraphic examination) on him and another key accused and his financial advisor V Vijaysai Reddy.

"During the investigation it has emerged that Jagan being the main beneficiary of all the ill-gotten money through various dubious methods including suspected hawala method and Vijay as the main kingpin and conspirator with Jagan to have alleged committed the offences," the CBI submitted.

Jagan, who has been sent to CBI custody twice, is the repository of entire information, document and details of alleged hawala transactions and he is keeping all the information close to his chest, the CBI said in its petition.

The agency further submitted that the investigation has revealed a chain of circumstances and multiple conspiracies with various persons, companies in Hyderabad and other parts of India and also foreign countries.

"In order to help and aid proper, just fair and fearless investigation into the matter the CBI seeks indulgence allowing the agency for using scientific ways for deriving information from Jagan and Vijaysai Reddy," CBI Superintendent of Police H Venkatesh said.

"Administering the new scientific techniques does not cause any bodily harm and the information extracted by these methods will be used only for strengthening the investigation and such information may not necessarily be admitted in evidence as the time of trial," the CBI said.

The CBI contended that there is a possibility that the information extracted could lead to uncovering of independent evidence which may be very relevant.

Earlier, the court extended the judicial custody of Jagan till June 25.

Meanwhile, Jagan accused the Andhra Pradesh government of trying to humiliate him by bringing him in a van used for transporting regular criminals without regard to his status as special class prisoner and his stature as an MP.

"My security was seriously compromised with Chenchalguda Jail authorities producing me before the court in a van," he said.

As soon as he was produced before the court of principal judge for CBI cases A Pullaiah, Jagan complained that he being an MP and president of the YSR Congress was deliberately brought in a van in order to humiliate him.

Jagan also threatened to go on indefinite fast, if he was denied an opportunity to explain his stand before the judge. "It is only with an intention to appear before the court, I did not protest or refuse to come in the van though I was aware of the 'mischief' and 'vendetta' being exhibited by the government and authorities," Jagan told the judge.

"The CBI is saying witnesses are being influenced by me which I have not done even before my arrest (after registration of the case in August last year) and till today. I am not a criminal and provided with 'Z' category security but today I was brought in a van to make a spectacle. Everybody knows the CBI arrested me to stop me from campaigning for the coming by-polls," he alleged.

To this, the judge said if rules permitted Jagan be provided with an exclusive vehicle and escort in view of the security and law and order situation.

Jagan further alleged that jail authorities stopped him from meeting his wife. "Why my wife was not allowed to meet me," Jagan asked.

The judge, however, said a decision in this regard can be taken only by jail authorities in accordance with the jail manual.

Jagan further said he will not go in the van in which he was transported from the jail to the court. "I will sit here till the bulletproof vehicle is arranged. The government has provided me with 'Z' category security as I am an MP," Jagan said, adding "I want whatever I said before you to go on record."

However, the judge made it clear it can't go on record and instead asked him to give his compliant in writing, which Jagan did.

After receiving the complaint, the judge issued notices to the head of the police, jail authorities and CBI and asked them to file their reply by June 14.

The police and jail authorities informed the court they have arranged for a bulletproof vehicle to take Jagan back to the jail after which he was taken into the vehicle with escort amid heavy security.