SC issue notices to AP on petition filed by Rao

New Delhi, Feb 23 (UNI) The Supreme Court today issued notices to Andhra Pradesh government on a petition filed by Eenadu Group owner Ramoji Rao challenging the two government orders about police investigation into the affairs of Margadarshi financiers, a Chit Fund owned by Rao.

Council for the petitioner contended before the bench comprising Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan and Mr Justice R V Raveendaran that Chief Minister Y S Rajashekhara Reddy was trying to browbeat the petitioner who has been exposing rampant corruption in his government about shady land deals involving the Chief Minister's family members and it was an attempt to gag the media.

The petitioner whose premises were raided by the state government authorities on February 21 has also contended that according to RBI not even a single investor had complained against his company.

The court also directed that the intervention applications filed by Hindu Editor-in-Chief N Ram and former Indian Express Editor Kuldip Nayyar seeking to intervene support of Ramoji Rao shall also be heard together with the main case.

The court, however, refused to issue notice to the Chief Minister saying that he was not a necessary party at this stage.

The application for interim stay against the investigation was not pressed by the petitioner as the state government has already filed the investigation report in the court.

Mr Ram and Mr Nayyar in their applications have alleged that the state government actions amounted to curbing the freedom of the press as well as the freedom of speech and expression.

Ramoji Rao has also contended that the government action was malafide and was aimed at creating panic among large number of investors of Magdarshi financiers .

The state of Andhra Pradesh has, however, justified its actions on the ground that the allegations of financial irregularities have to be investigated as it was the duty of the state.

UNI