Gali may sell chopper if returned, says CBI

HYDERABAD: Stating that the petition of Gali Janardhan Reddy in retuning his helicopter and luxury cars is not at all maintainable, the Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday said in its counter-petition that if the court granted return of the properties, he is likely to sell or alienate them to third parties. The CBI on Wednesday filed a counter-petition in the special CBI court opposing Gali Janardhan Reddy and his brother-in-law BV Srinivas Reddy’s petitions to return their chopper and cars. Later, the Magistrate B Naga Maruthi Sharma posted the hearing on their petitions to February 22. RM Khan, additional SP, CBI said that during the arrest of the accused, a Bell helicopter was seized as part of the investigation. “The helicopter is kept in Jakkur aerodrome, Bangalore under the custody of Deccan Charters. The charge sheet mentions that the money paid for the purchase of the helicopter pertains to proceeds collected by the accused through illegal mining. It is likely that the accused may sell or alienate these properties to third parties and make it difficult to secure them at the time of trial,” he added. “It is pertinent to mention that even if the accused were using the helicopter, they will have to pay maintenance as well as parking fees. In fact, they are saving money on fuel consumption by not travelling in the same,” the CBI said. The investigating agency also said that the luxury cars seized during the arrest of the accused have been handed over to Bellary rural police station are being guarded round-the-clock by two guards and parked in the residence of BV Srinivas Reddy. “These cars were also purchased from the illegal wealth amassed by the accused. It is worthwhile to mention the accused through their counsels continues to say that the vehicles are lying in open air. When the CBI inspected along with the court staff, the vehicles were in proper condition,’’ the counter-petition said. Former Karnataka minister Janardhan Reddy and his brother-in-law Srinivas Reddy filed had filed fresh petitions in the special CBI court on February 9 to return their seized chopper and cars.