Date:05/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/05/stories/2007050514050400.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Anantapur

Paritala case: CBI seeks nod to grill accused

Staff Reporter

ANANTAPUR: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probing the Paritala Ravindra murder case filed a petition in the District and Sessions Court here on Friday seeking permission to interrogate K. Rammohan Reddy, an accused in the murder, with regard to his willingness to turn approver.

Judge K. Gaddenna reserved the decision for May 16, adjourned the case till that date and extended the judicial custody of 13 accused. Of the 16 accused in the case, 13 were produced in the court including. However, the judge turned down the plea of Rammohan Reddy to shift him to other jail. He pleaded with the court that he was facing threat from his co-accused if he was lodged with them. The judge sought to know why wanted to shift now, as he had not raised any apprehension while being shifted here from Hyderabad. Rammohan told the court that he wanted to stay closer to his family and that's why he had agreed to shift here. The court was not convinced by his reasoning and turned down his request.

Meanwhile, special public prosecutor of CBI M. Venkoba Rao also filed a memo in the court with the 22 charges to be framed against the accused. A copy of the charges was also given to the accused. Talking to The Hindu he said the CBI would take a decision on Rammohan Reddy's willingness to turn approver only after interrogating him in jail, as per an observation of the High Court.

Remand extended

Meanwhile, the District and Sessions Court extended the judicial custody of eight accused persons in TDP leader Tagarakunta Prabhakar murder case to May 16.