CBI arrests Andhra CM Jagan's uncle in Vivekananda Reddy murder case

In a major development, the Central Bureau of Investigation on Sunday arrested YS Bhaskar Reddy, uncle of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, who is accused of playing a key role in the murder of former MP Vivekananda Reddy.

Bhaskar Reddy, father of Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy was arrested Bhaskar Reddy from his residence at Pulivendula in Kadapa district.

Vivekananda Reddy, the brother of the late Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy was found dead at his residence in Pulivendula, the constituency now represented by Jagan Mohan Reddy, on the night of March 15, 2019, weeks before the state assembly elections.

The special investigation team (SIT) took over the probe into the murder but later it was handed over to the CBI in July 2020.

As per CBI chargesheet, Vivekananda Reddy was not happy with his brother Bhaskar Reddy and nephew Avinash Reddy as they had wrecked his chances to become MLC in 2017.

So, Vivekanananda allegedly proposed a parliamentary poll ticket for himself or Jagan Mohan Reddy's mother Y S Vijayamma or his sister Y S Sharmila against the incumbent Avinash Reddy from the Kadapa Lok Sabha constituency.

The CBI officials suspect that Bhaskar along with Avinash Reddy got him (Vivekananda Reddy) killed through his henchman D Siva Shankar Reddy, a leader of the ruling YSR Congress party.

According to the officials, Shankar Reddy offered around Rs 10 crore to one K Gangadhar Reddy for taking responsibility of Vivekananda Reddy's murder.