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Kadapa MP and YSRCP leader Y S Avinash Reddy on Wednesday remained holed up for the fourth day at a private hospital in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool, where his mother has been admitted, even as a two-member CBI team camped outside to serve him with a summons in connection with the murder of his uncle in 2019.
Dozens supporters of the MP have gathered outside.
The CBI has accused Avanish and his father, Y S Bhaskar Reddy, of allegedly conspiring to kill their relative, former MP Y S Vivekananda Reddy, who was stabbed to death in March 2019. The CBI had summoned Avanish on May 16, but he did not appear, citing a pending anticipatory bail petition in the Supreme Court. The agency again issued summons on May 19, but Avinash again did not appear.
On May 20, he messaged CBI Additional Superintendent Mukesh Sharma, saying he was unable to appear since his mother was unwell. He said since his father is in judicial custody in the same case, he would have to take care of his mother.
On May 21, Avinash got his mother, Lakshmi, admitted to Viswa Bharathi Super Specialty Hospital at Gayatri Estates in Kurnool for treatment of a heart condition. He has not stepped out of the hospital since then.
Members of Avinash’s extended family — one of the most powerful political dynasties in Andhra Pradesh — have come out in his defence.
Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy’s mother Y S Vijayalakshmi and his aunt Y S Vimala Reddy have visited Lakshmi at the hospital.
Vivekananda Reddy was the brother of Jagan’s father and former chief minister, late Y S Rajshekhara Reddy. Vimala Reddy is their sister. On Wednesday, she told reporters, “I met him (Avinash) at the hospital and he said that he was innocent. I believe him. I could see it on his face, and he also believes in God.”
She told The Indian Express, “I think justice may be delayed, but eventually the truth will come out. I think those responsible for my brother’s murder have escaped, while innocent family members are being charged.”
Regarding Avinash’s supporters who have gathered outside, hospital authorities said that while they had initially received some complaints from visitors that the group were blocking one side of an approach road, there are no problems now. “After some complaints on the first day we opened the gates on the other side. Now, there is no issue. The approach and exit are not blocked,” a hospital official said. “Supporters of the MP are not stopping anyone coming to the hospital. They are standing on one side while the other side remains open.”
Kurnool Superintendent of Police G Krishnakanth said the number of supporters gathered outside has come down and that visitors and patients were not being inconvenienced. “That area is hypersensitive, as it has many hospitals. We have to keep all roads free of any blockage. If they were blocking the road to the hospital, we would have already taken action,” he said.
YSRCP general secretary Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy, an adviser to the state government, denied party workers are blocking people from reaching the hospital. “The road is free…. Avinash Reddy is in hospital because his mother is unwell,” he said.
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