Once again the abnormal delay in beginning trials in cases against former AP Chief Minister and YCP chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy knocked the Telangana High Court. A hearing was held in the High Court on the progress of the trial of cases against public representatives.
The Additional Advocate General of the state, Imran Khan, told the High Court that 309 cases against public representatives are pending in various courts in the state of Telangana. The High Court granted 4 weeks to the AAG to submit complete details regarding the progress of the trial of these cases.
A special bench formed on the orders of the Supreme Court to review the progress of the cases registered against public representatives resumed the hearing. A bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Justice Sujay Pal and Justice T Vinod Kumar conducted the hearing.
The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by former MP Hari Ramajogaiah seeking an order to expedite the trial of the cases registered against Jaganmohan Reddy in the CBI and ED courts was heard together. The High Court had ordered in 2023 to expedite the trial of the cases registered against former CM Jagan, but it has not been completed yet.
Hari Ramajogaiah’s lawyer requested that a daily trial be ordered. The special bench asked the lawyer representing Harirama Jogaiah what stage the investigation is in the CBI and ED courts. The Telangana High Court has adjourned the hearing, directing the AAG to file a counter on the progress made till March 31 in the cases against public representatives.
It may be recalled that for more than 12 years the trial in cases against Jaganmohan Reddy was not started and this issue prominently came before the Supreme Court and also the High Court several times. The Supreme Court also asked for reports on the status of cases from the CBI.
It was found that a new way of delaying the cases was found with the filing of discharge petitions by the accused one after another in the High Court. On the lame excuse of pending of those petitions before the High Court, the lawyers in the CBI Special Court are succeeding in getting adjournment in these cases.
