The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has approached the Telangana High Court seeking an expedited, day-to-day trial in money laundering cases involving former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy and others. The agency has also requested the personal appearance of all accused in prosecution complaints filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The move comes amid prolonged delays in the proceedings, which the ED says have remained at a preliminary stage for nearly a decade. The agency wants the High Court to ensure that the cases progress without further unnecessary postponements.

According to the ED, the cases have been held up by pending discharge petitions before the Special Court for CBI cases in Hyderabad. The agency said cognisance had already been taken in all nine prosecution complaints filed between 2016 and 2021, but there had been no significant progress towards trial. Discharge petitions were heard by the Special Court but remained undecided, reportedly because of transfers of presiding officers and other reasons. The ED has argued that the continued pendency of these applications has prevented the prosecution from advancing despite several years having passed since the complaints were taken up by the court.

The agency said it approached the Telangana High Court on September 23, invoking the right to a speedy trial under Article 21 of the Constitution. In its statement, the ED maintained that the criminal justice system should ensure that proceedings are conducted with reasonable expedition. It has sought directions for day-to-day hearings and trial in the prosecution complaints, including consideration of the pending discharge petitions in accordance with the law. The petition places the prolonged duration of the proceedings at the centre of the agency's request for judicial intervention.

Also Read: ED Summons YSRCP MP Avinash Reddy in Alleged ₹40 Crore Murder Money Trail Probe

The investigation originated from a Central Bureau of Investigation first information report concerning Jagan and 73 others over alleged quid pro quo investments in companies linked to him and his family. The allegations relate to claims that certain corporates and individuals received government favours during the tenure of Jagan's father, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, in return for making substantial investments in businesses associated with the family. These allegations form the basis of the ED's money laundering investigation and subsequent prosecution complaints. The claims remain allegations within the legal proceedings and are to be addressed through the judicial process.

The ED has also cited investments made through share subscriptions at unusually high rates in companies including Bharati Cement Corporation Pvt Ltd, Jagati Publications Ltd and Janani Infrastructure Pvt Ltd. According to the agency, these companies were associated with Jagan and members of his family. The investigation examined the nature of these investments in the context of the alleged exchange of financial benefits for government favours. The agency's request for faster proceedings follows years of litigation over the allegations, with the unresolved discharge petitions continuing to delay the next stage of the cases.

The High Court's consideration of the ED's plea will determine what directions, if any, are issued to accelerate the proceedings. The agency has emphasised that the cases have remained pending for nearly 10 years and that a more time-bound process is necessary in the interest of justice. Its request includes day-to-day hearings and the personal appearance of the accused in the relevant prosecution complaints. Until the court addresses the petition and the pending applications are decided, the cases remain subject to the ongoing judicial process.

Also Read: ED Arrests 2 in Rs 1,417 Crore Export Investment Fraud Case in Tamil Nadu