YSR blocked CBI probe to save Raju: Naidu

Hyderabad, Feb 9: N Chandrababu Naidu, the Opposition leader in Andhra Pradesh accused the Chief Minister Y S R Reddy and government of sheilding Raju brothers and blocking CBI probe into Satyam Computers scam. He said the state government ordered a Crime Investigation Department (CID) probe into Satyam fiasco only to save ex-CEO Ramalinga Raju.

Naidu initiating a debate on Satyam scandal in the Assembly demanded that Centre order an inquiry into transactions of companies allegedly promoted by the Congress leader's son.

"When all major laws, including SEBI, FERA, FEMA, RBI and IT were violated and when the company's operations were spread over 66 countries, how can the CID investigation unearth the truth? It was a fit case for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry as the national agency could have co-ordinated with the Interpol to probe deeper into the scandal," Naidu said.

"The Congress high command has also blocked the CBI probe into the Satyam scandal only to suppress facts and protect the guilty," the former chief minister and Telugu Desam Party President alleged.

Naidu also demanded a judicial probe by a sitting judge into the affairs of Satyam Computers, Maytas Infra, Maytas Properties and the 14 'benami' companies allegedly promoted by the CM's son Jaganmohan Reddy and also Heritage Foods. Chandrababu said that the Congress party in Andhra Pradesh has 'lured' Ramalinga Raju by offering him acres of land on a platter, which resulted in the Satyam founder's downfall.

He also accused the government of giving thousands of acres of land to Maytas Infrastructure and Maytas Properties promoted by Raju's sons. Irked Naidu even warned the CM to confess his wrong deed or else will face the same fate of Raju.

"You (Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy) and Ramalinga Raju are similar in nature. Both of you want thousands of acres of land in your kitty. What will you do with such land?" Naidu asked. "You better confess to your wrongdoings like Ramalinga Raju did. You too will get some respite from law," he said.

OneIndia News (With inputs from Agencies)