Jagan Reddy applies for bail against 'illegal' arrest

A day after being sent to judicial remand, YSR Congress chief Y S Jaganmohan Reddy on Tuesday moved a special Central Bureau of Investigation court in Hyderabad, seeking bail.

The court posted the matter to May 31 after asking the central agency to file its counter.

Jagan was arrested by the CBI on Sunday in connection with the disproportionate assets case registered against him and was on Monday remanded to judicial custody till June 11. He has been lodged at the Chanchalguda Central Prison in Hyderabad.

The Kadapa Member of Parliament, who filed the bail plea through his counsel, requested that he be granted bail to enable him to campaign for the June 12 by-polls in the state for his party candidates, who are contesting in 18 assembly seats and one Lok Sabha constituency.

"My client (Jagan) is the lead campaigner in the election campaign on behalf of YSR Congress party and all candidates," Jagan's counsel submitted.

In the bail plea, Jagan asserted that the apprehension that he may interfere with any investigation was wholly "mis-founded and incorrect".

"The arrest (of Jagan) is malafide and the petitioner never interfered with any investigation or influenced any witness at any point of time. The arrest is illegal and is liable to be set aside," Jagan's counsel further contended.

He said his client would be available as and when required by the investigation agency, if granted bail.

In another development, the Andhra Pradesh high court permitted Jagan's lawyers to file a quash petition on Wednesday, challenging the arrest by terming it "illegal".

The high court also allowed the CBI to file its petition seeking custody (of Jagan) before it on Wednesday. While remanding Jagan to judicial custody till June 11, the CBI court had on Monday dismissed the agency's plea seeking his custody.

Meanwhile, Jagan's mother and Member of Legislative Assembly Y S Vijaya and his family members (including wife Bharati, sister Sharmila and brother-in-law Anil Kumar), besides his financial adviser and another accused in the case V Vijay Sai Reddy (now out on bail) met the YSR Congress chief in the jail.

After meeting Jagan, his sister Sharmila said, "He is cool and calm. He is a fighter".