Bengaluru, Nov 14: The First Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (ACMM) court pulled up the Central Crime Branch (CCB) police for arresting Ballari mining baron G Janardhana Reddy even before collecting sufficient evidence of his involvement in the case.
While hearing a bail application filed by Reddy, the magistrate V Jagadeesh, asked CCB officials what connection Reddy had with Ambidant Marketing Pvt Ltd.
“The complaint is in one direction and the investigation is in another direction. There is not the smallest allegation we can find against Reddy as neither the investors nor the complainant have mentioned Reddy’s name. How can you say Reddy is involved in the case?” the court asked.
Leading criminal advocate C H Hanumantharaya, representing Reddy, submitted that the court had granted bail to four accused in the case and also an anticipatory bail to fifth accused Mehfuz Ali Khan. Soon after Reddy received a notice from the CCB police, he appeared before them despite not being involved in the case. Khan had taken Rs 18 crore from Syed Ahmed Fareed and his son Syed Afaq Ahmed, owners of Ambidant. Reddy has no connection with the Ambidant fraud, he stated.
Hanumantharaya further submitted that during interrogation, Reddy told the CCB that he was aware that his aide, Khan, had taken a loan from Ambidant and he will ensure that he will make him (Khan) repay it. He stated that there were no allegations against Reddy and he has to appear for a case related to the CBI and sought bail.
Public prosecutor V Venkatagiri submitted that the case involves Rs 600 crore and thousands of investors were cheated by Ambidant. There are allegations that Reddy has taken money from Ambidant owners to bail them out from cases and opposed the bail saying he may destroy evidence and influence witnesses.
When magistrate Jagadeesh asked the public prosecutor how Reddy was involved in the Ambidant fraud case, he replied that it cannot be revealed in the open court. After hearing the arguments, Reddy’s bail plea was posted for orders on Wednesday.
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