Hyderabad, September 28: The High Court on Tuesday has recommended that the State Government order a Central Bureau of Investigation probe against Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy and Excise Minister Mopidevi Venkataramana.
The court’s opinion came in the wake of Handlooms and Textiles Minister P Shankar Rao’s explosive disclosure at a press conference in Hyderabad, which were treated as suo-motto by the court to frame charges against them. Justice L Narasimha Reddy who admitted the press statement into a petition, said had referred it to another division bench for trial with a remark that all the charges in public domain spells on the ongoing deficiency in present administration.
Dr Shankar Rao alleged that Sabita Indra Reddy was making money by indulging in corruption in postings to several police officers. He said that if the state government wanted to sell postings for police officials, it should better call tenders and appoint the highest bidder.
“I am ready to face any kind of punishment including dropping from cabinet if my charges are proved false,” the Shankar Rao claimed. He also threatened to launch if the Chief Minister fails to take action against the Home and Excise Ministers.
A day after making these allegations, the Minister must be cheering on his luck as his statements in the media were noted by the State High Court who recommended a CBI enquiry into the allegations.
It may be mentioned it was on Shankar Rao’s complaint that the High Court ordered a CBI inquiry into the alleged disproportionate assets of YSR Congress party president Jaganmohan Reddy.
Last week, the minister had complained to Congress president Sonia Gandhi that he was not being given proper protection by the state DGP and also that CM was ‘ deliberately humiliating him.
——Agencies