Following Bhaskar Reddy’s arrest, a large number of YSRCP activists gathered outside his residence in Pulivendula. The YSRCP called for protests across YSR district following the arrest. Immediately after the arrest took place the shops were shut down in Pulivendula.
Tirupati, 16.04.2023: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrests Andhra CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy’s uncle YS Bhaskar Reddy in the murder case of ex-MP Vivekananda Reddy on Sunday morning. Officials picked him up from Kadapa. Under sections 120(b) (conspiracy), 302 (murder), 201 (tampering with evidence) of the IPC, a case has been registered. His phone has also been seized by the CBI.
Vivekananda Reddy, 68, the brother of late Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy was found dead with stab injuries at his residence on the night of March 15, 2019, exactly before the state assembly elections.
At the initial stage the case was probed by a special investigation team (SIT) but later was handed over to CBI in July 2020. On October 26, 2021, CBI filed a charge sheet, and on January 31, 2022, it was followed by a supplementary charge sheet.
Gajjala Uday Kumar Reddy, a close aide of YS Avinash Reddy was also arrested by the CBI on Friday. Following Bhaskar Reddy’s arrest, a large number of YSRCP activists gathered outside his residence in Pulivendula. Following the arrest, the YSRCP called for demonstrations throughout the YSR district. Immediately after the arrest took place the shops were shut down in Pulivendula.
Bhaskar, the fifth suspect detained in this murder investigation, is being taken to Hyderabad where the CBI court will hear his case. After the Supreme Court established a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) last week and directed it to conclude the investigation by April 30, the CBI speeded up the investigation.
A bail petition of Sunil Yadav, an accused in this murder case was opposed by the CBI in March. In the petition it was alleged that Bhaskar with his son Avinash Reddy conspired against Vivekananda due his political dominance in Kadapa. Although they defeated Vivekananda Reddy in the MLC elections he had started to consolidate his political power in the region. They hired staff Y Gangi Reddy, R Dastagir and Sunil Yadav – who worked for Vivekananda.
The CBI stated that the duo Bhaskar and Avinash hatched the conspiracy to eliminate Vivekananda and they also erased the evidence and gave shelter to the accused. Avinash was also questioned for three hours following this case but there was no positive answer from his side.