Analysis: Will Jagan Mohan Reddy Be Convicted Soon?

By M H Ahssan / Hyderabad

Leaders of Congress, TDP and TRS firmly believe that Jagan presently lodged in the Chanchalguda jail as remand prisoner, would soon be convicted. The CBI had already filed 7 charge-sheets in connection with the disproportionate assets case against him. Hearing also began on the charge-sheets. Excepting on one or two occasions, Jagan was generally heard by the court only through video conferencing. CBI authorities had recently informed the court that they had completed their investigation with regard to three charge-sheets.
 Meanwhile, it is being said that the media statements of former ministers Sabita Indra Reddy and Dharmana Prasada Rao would be key in the CBI cases against them. It may be recalled that the Enforcement Directorate had already attached properties worth more than Rs. 300 crore in Jagan case.

There is criticism that the CBI probe was proceeding at a snail's pace. However there is evidence that the investigation of the Enforcement Directorate probing economic offences like money laundering, was proceeding at a brisk pace. Political parties observing the proceedings are coming to their own estimates of the situation. Leaders like KCR who firmly believe that conviction of Jagan was imminent, were also making their own analysis of the situation. 

Opponents of Jagan feel that Jagan's party would be further weakened if he was convicted. It is being said that KCR was feeling that it would be Congress which would be benefited by Jagan's conviction and not TDP. Congress and TDP are also analyzing the situation more or less in the same way. This is the reason why the parties think there was no need for worrying about the leaders who had joined Jagan's party. These leaders say that Jagan would surely be punished in one case or the other.

These leaders feel that these developments would surely show their affect on Jagan's party. Some Congress leaders are stating that CBI authorities were ready with evidence on Jagan's role in the three cases in which they completed their investigation. Jagan's party is getting suffocated by the ensuing local body elections and the general elections which are only 8 months away. Sharmila's 'Maro Praja Prasthanam' is yet to conclude. Vijayamma had to undertake vigorous tour of the state in compelling situation, despite her advanced age. 

She is going to tour the Telangana districts from Tuesday. CBI has only two more months left to file the final charge-sheets. Legal experts say that the courts might respond fast in Jagan assets case as they have been hearing them for the past more than an year-and-a-half. They are of the view that the courts might hasten the hearing and announce judgments soon.