Reddy, aide custody extended till March 16

BANGALORE: The CBI custody of former Tourism Minister Gali Janardana Reddy has been extended till March 16. Meanwhile, the CBI Court here on Monday also rejected the bail application of the mining baron and his close aide Ali Khan, whose custody too was extended till March 16.In the backdrop of violence at the City Civil Court Complex on March 2 during Reddy’s appearance before the court, the court was shifted to the premises of Parappana Agrahara Central Prison. Reddy was brought to court amid fool-proof police security by afternoon. Reddy’s counsel filed the bail plea of his client and requested the judge, B M Angadi, to grant him bail stating that Reddy was not given proper facility at the CBI office where he was interrogated. The counsel also told the court that the CBI sleuths were “pressuring” Reddy to extract information from him. However, the judge rejected the application.While leaving the court premises, Reddy said that his close aide and former minister B Sriramulu would emerge victorious in all his endeavours. “Let Sriramulu emerge successful in his future efforts. Satyameva Jayate,” he said.Earlier in the morning, Ali Khan was produced before the City Civil Court Complex where he filed a bail petition that was rejected. Khan had also sought to be discharged from the case. He too complained that the CBI officials were forcing him to become an approver. However, the judge extended his police custody, too, till March 16 and adjourned further hearing till the same date.