Hyderabad, Nov 4 (IANS): YSR Congress party chief Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy Friday appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with an illegal mining case involving former Karnataka minister and jailed mining baron Gali Janardhana Reddy.
The MP reached the CBI office at Koti amid tight security around 11 a.m. There was chaos as Jagan's supporters also reached there, raised anti-government slogans and had heated arguments with policemen.
Leaders of YSR Congress party called on Jagan at his Lotus Ponds residence before he left for the CBI office.
A large police posse was deployed around the CBI office located in a busy commercial area. Police diverted traffic and also closed shops around the building.
Jagan was summoned by CBI for questioning in connection with the illegal iron ore mining by Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) owned by Janardhana Reddy.
The son of late Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy is likely to be questioned by the CBI about his business links with the mining baron.
CBI Joint Director V.V. Lakshminarayana had told reporters Thursday night that Jagan was summoned under Section 160 of the Criminal Procedure Code. Under it, an investigating officer can summon a person who appears to be acquainted with the facts and circumstances of the case.
During investigations, some witnesses alleged before CBI that the Kadapa MP had close business links with the accused.
Jagan, who is himself facing a CBI probe into his alleged illegal assets, is likely to be questioned about the alleged investments made by Janardhana Reddy into his firms, including Jagathi Publications, which publishes Telugu daily 'Sakshi' and Indira Television, which runs 'Sakshi' television channel.
Janardhana Reddy and his brother-in-law B.V. Srinivasa Reddy are currently in jail here in the illegal mining case.
This is the first time that Jagan is being questioned by the CBI since the arrest of the duo Sep 5.
Meanwhile, YSR Congress leaders said Jagan appeared before the CBI as he had full faith in the law of the land and the judiciary.
They pointed out that Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy had also appeared before the CBI in the same case.