Kodi Kathi case: NIA court rules YS Jagan must appear before it on Jan 31

VIJAYAWADA: In a sensational observation in the rooster knife (kodi Kathi) case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) Court in Vijayawada ruled that the victim, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy, should appear before it for deposition. The court made this clear while dismissing the bail petition of the accused J Srinivasa Rao before adjourning the hearing on the NIA case for January 31.

Srinivasa Rao has been in jail following his arrest for allegedly attacking YS Jagan inside the Visakhapatnam airport with a rooster knife in October 2018 when the latter was in opposition. The YSRCP chief survived the attack with a minor stab injury on one of his shoulders. As the case is being investigated by the NIA, it came up for hearing at the NIA court on Friday.

Making interesting comments during the course of the hearing, the court made it clear that the Chief Minister, who is the victim in the case, should appear before it without fail. The counsel for accused Srinivasa Rao, in his argument, questioned as to why the victim (YS Jagan) in the case had not yet been questioned so far. To this, the NIA counsel replied, saying that the statement of the victim had already been recorded.

Intervening at this stage, the NIA court judge asked as to why the recording of the victim’s statement was not mentioned in the chargesheet. The court felt that it would be pointless to question all the witnesses while leaving aside the victim. Posting the matter for January 31 for further hearing, the court ruled that all those concerned with the case including the victim should appear before it without fail on that day.