HC notice to Jagan, others on corruption charges

In response to a public interest litigation filed by three Telugu Desam Party leaders, seeking penal action against former Congress member of Parliament YS Jagan Mohan Reddy for alleged corruption, the Andhra Pradesh high court on Tuesday issued notices to him, the Union government and several other respondents.

The petitioners, Yerran Naidu, P Ashok Gajapathi Raju and Byreddy Rajasekhar Reddy, have alleged in the affidavit before the court that Jagan used his late father's position as the chief minister to add to his own wealth.

The PIL contends that Jagan, in his affidavit before the Election Commission, and also in the income tax return for the year 2003-04, showed annual income of Rs 9,19,951, which rose to Rs 77.40 crore in 2009. He could not have increased his wealth through legitimate means, it says.

The division bench of Justices V Eswaraiah and V Suri Appa Rao on Tuesday admitted the petition, and issued notices to Jagan, the Union government, state government, Central Bureau of Investigation, Anti Corruption Bureau and the assistant commissioner of Income Tax, besides various companies.

The bench directed that the PIL be clubbed with another petition, by S Shanker Rao, state cabinet minister, on the same issue. Both petitions will come up for hearing in due course.