Jagan’s Disproportionate Assets Cases: CBI Court Agrees to Daily Hearings in ED Cases

A key development has emerged in the disproportionate assets cases involving YSRCP chief Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, with the CBI court agreeing to conduct daily hearings in the cases registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Until now, the court had been conducting day-to-day hearings only in the CBI cases, with the ED matters expected to be taken up after their completion. The ED recently approached the High Court, stating that proceedings in nine cases registered by it had not progressed. Following requests from both the ED and the accused persons’ lawyers to hear the CBI and ED cases alongside each other, the court has agreed to take up the ED matters on a daily basis as well. Depending on the court’s schedule, hearings may alternate between CBI and ED cases or cover both on the same day. The court has also listed ED cases for hearings, including the matter involving alleged investments by Aurobindo and Hetero.

In the Hetero-Aurobindo case, the ED alleges that investments were made in companies linked to Jagan in return for land allotments in the Jadcherla area during the tenure of his father, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. According to the allegations, Aurobindo and Trident invested ₹10 crore, while Hetero invested ₹19.50 crore in companies associated with Jagan. During a recent hearing on Jagan’s discharge petition, his lawyer argued that the Prevention of Money Laundering Act did not apply in the circumstances and questioned the legal basis and evidence for the ED proceedings. The wider disproportionate assets case dates back to 2011, when the CBI registered an FIR naming Jagan, Vijayasai Reddy and several others. The allegations concern investments in companies linked to Jagan, allegedly made in exchange for benefits granted to various businesses. A total of 20 cases—11 registered by the CBI and nine by the ED—are pending, with numerous discharge petitions filed by the accused. Proceedings have faced delays, including following the transfer of the special court judge in 2024. The allegations remain subject to judicial proceedings, and the court will determine the legal merits of the cases.