The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has stepped up its investigation into the case registered in the case of supplying fake ghee for making Tirumala Srivari Pavitra Prasadam laddu. In this context, the SIT Additional SP has asked YSRCP MP YV Subba Reddy and his wife Swarna Latha to provide their Axis Bank accounts details.
However, challenging this request, Subba Reddy and his wife Swarna Latha urgently approached the High Court. The High Court heard the petition on Friday. CBI Standing Council PSP Suresh Kumar, while submitting arguments on behalf of the SIT, said that the investigation is underway based on the information given by the then PA Chinna Appana of Subba Reddy in the fake ghee supply case.
He said that as part of the investigation, the SIT Additional SP has issued notices to the Axis Bank manager to provide details of bank account transactions. He said that the investigating officer has the authority to seek details from the bank. He explained that the accounts and transactions of the petitioners must be taken into account in order to proceed with the investigation of the case.
He requested that no interim orders be passed at this stage. He said that the petitioners have filed the current cases to prevent the facts from coming out and to prevent the investigation from proceeding. He said that if no evidence is found in the case of the petitioners, the investigation against them will be closed. He said that some information has already been obtained from the bank concerned. He said that some more information is to be received.
Senior advocate S. Sriram, appearing for the Subba Reddy couple, said that asking for bank account details is a violation of the right to privacy. He said that the SIT Additional SP cannot directly ask the bank officials to provide account details as per Section 94 of the BNSS. He said that the petitioners are neither witnesses nor accused in the case.
Taking these details into consideration, High Court Judge Justice Venkata Jyotirmayi clarified to the SIT that the investigation can continue with the evidence already received from the bank. He directed the SIT to wait and not seek the remaining details from Axis Bank until further orders. The hearing was adjourned to March 31.