The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the murder of former Member of Parliament YS Vivekananda Reddy, uncle of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, has summoned BJP leader and former Minister C Adinarayana Reddy to appear before them for inquiry on Thursday.

Alleging harassment by the YSR family, Adinarayana Reddy said, “If I have done something wrong, let them encounter me or hang me.”

Daughter of Vivekananda Reddy, Dr Sunitha suspects the role of Adinarayana Reddy, who was the Lok Sabha MP candidate from Kadapa during 2019 elections. Vivekananda was also an aspirant to contest from Kadapa. 

Addressing the media on Wednesday, Adinarayana Reddy denied any role in the murder of Vivekananda Reddy. He claimed that there was a slanderous campaign against him, alleging that he went absconding, and also questioned why the YSRCP who initially demanded a CBI inquiry was reluctant towards it now.

Slamming the speculations that he has been avoiding the investigation, he said, "I received summon notices under 161 CrPc. According to my lawyers, this notice means that If I have any evidence relating to the case or suspect anyone, I could share it with the authorities, but some channels are portraying that I am in exile and that I am avoiding the investigation."

Adinarayana said that if the investigation proves him guilty, he was ready to kill himself. 

YS Vivekananda Reddy was found hacked to death ahead of the Parliamentary elections on March 15. An SIT was immediately constituted to probe the death. However, the SIT is yet to make any breakthrough in the case.

Recently, BJP state president, Kanna Lakshminarayana said that the SIT had failed in the probe, and demanded the state government to hand over the case to CBI.