The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Tuesday deferred the hearing on former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy's petition to May 6, as it sought clarification on certain doubts raised during the proceedings concerning the validity of the NIA special court order. The special court had earlier refused Jagan's request for a deeper probe into the alleged larger conspiracy angle in the attack on him at Visakhapatnam airport in 2018.
Background of the Case
Jagan moved the high court challenging the NIA special court's order, contending that the NIA failed to investigate the larger conspiracy angle. He argued that his petition for further probe was rejected by the special court at Vijayawada without jurisdiction. Senior counsel T Niranjan Reddy, arguing on Jagan's behalf, questioned the jurisdiction of the Vijayawada NIA court while rejecting the petition. He pointed out that a gazette notification issued by the Union government on July 24, 2023, had notified the special court for NIA cases at Visakhapatnam, thereby stripping the Vijayawada court of jurisdiction. However, the NIA court passed its orders on July 25, a day after the notification.
Opposing Arguments
Additional Solicitor General Challa Dhananjay opposed the argument, stating that the notification only identified jurisdiction and that the court establishment was not completed by July 25. He explained that the court officially comes into existence only after it is notified by the high court with the appointment of a judicial officer and staff by the Chief Justice. Senior counsel B Adinarayana, appearing for accused J Srinivas Rao, made similar submissions.
Next Hearing
After considering the arguments, Justice Venkata Jyothirmai Prathama posted the matter for further hearing to May 6. The court will continue to examine the jurisdictional issues and the validity of the NIA special court order.
