SC orders CBI probe in DA case against Andhra top cop

In a big blow to Andhra Pradesh police chief V Dinesh Reddy, the Supreme Court on Friday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation probe against him for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets along with his wife.

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The apex court slammed the state government for not conducting any probe against Reddy when copy of a complaint against him was forwarded by the Centre saying "our conscious was shocked" by the manner the state government abandoned the allegation against its top cop.

A bench of justices B S Chauhan and S A Bobde directed the CBI to conduct the probe and file status report within four weeks.

"The appeals are disposed of directing the CBI to investigate the matter against V Dinesh Reddy on the allegations of acquiring the disproportionate assets," the bench said while passing order on a plea of Umesh Kumar, an IPS officer who filed the complaint against the DGP by allegedly forging the signature of an MP.

The bench said probe is needed on the complaint even though it may be "forged or fabricated" as there was substance in the allegation levelled against Reddy.

It said, "Even though the complaint was bogus, however, the sale deeds annexed alongwith the same though illegally collected by someone, have not been found to be fabricated documents".

"It becomes evident that in case there is some substance in the allegations and material exists to substantiate the complicity of the applicant(Reddy), the case is to be examined in its full conspectus and the proceedings should not be quashed only on the ground that the same had been initiated with mala fides to wreak vengeance or to achieve an ulterior goal," the bench said.

"Facts of the case warranted some enquiry in respect of the allegations of acquiring huge properties by Reddy. The state took the courage to flout the order of the central government and did not look into the contents of the complaint and misdirected the enquiry against Umesh Kumar. In such a fact-situation, this court would not fail in its duty to direct the enquiry in those allegations," it said.

Photograph: SnapsIndia