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The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches at the residences of YSRCP MP YS Avinash Reddy and several others accused in the murder case of his uncle and former MP, YS Vivekananda Reddy, on Friday, August 21. The searches were related to a money laundering case registered based on the murder probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), to look into transfer of funds in connection with the murder.
Six properties in Hyderabad and Kadapa were reportedly searched, including those of Avinash and his father, YS Bhaskar Reddy. Kadapa MP Avinash is the cousin of YSRCP chief and former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Premises of other accused, including Devireddy Shiva Shankar Reddy and Yerra Gangi Reddy, were also searched.
Vivekananda Reddy, brother of former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy, was murdered at his residence in Pulivendula on March 15, 2019, weeks before the Assembly elections.
The CBI had alleged that the murder was a contract killing for which Rs 40 crore was paid.
Avinash has been questioned in the case multiple times by the CBI, which has been investigating the murder case since July 2020, and has implicated Avinash and his father Bhaskar Reddy. The CBI arrested Bhaskar Reddy in 2023. He was later released on conditional bail.
The CBI has told the Telangana High Court on multiple occasions that Bhaskar, Avinash and their follower Devireddy Shiva Shankar Reddy hatched a conspiracy to murder Vivekananda Reddy over various reasons, including the belief that he had opposed giving the Kadapa ticket to Avinash for the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Avinash has denied the allegations against him and his father, and alleged that the CBI ignored several key facts in the case.