No conspiracy behind attempt to murder on YS Jagan in Vizag airport: NIA

HYDERABAD: The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing the case related to the attack on the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy at Visakhapatnam airport when he was an opposition leader in 2019, made it clear that there was no conspiracy behind the attack on him.

In a counter-petition filed before the special court for NIA cases in Vijayawada, the NIA said that airport restaurant owner Harshavardhan was not connected to the incident and the prime accused J Srinivasa Rao, who was arrested for attacking Jagan, was not a sympathizer of the TDP.

The NIA said this in the counter-petition filed before the court in response to a petition filed by Jagan seeking a detailed probe into the case. It has also urged the court to dismiss the petition filed by the Chief Minister. The NIA said there was no need for further probe into the case as the court had already taken up the case.

Following a request from Jagan’s advocates, who were seeking more time to present their arguments, the court posted the matter for Monday.

Jagan was supposed to appear before the court on April 10 but he did not appear citing his scheduled programs. He requested the court to exempt him from the personal appearance and permit him to record evidence through an advocate commissioner. During the previous hearing, the court directed him to appear personally but he did not turn up.

Jagan suffered injuries on his arm when Srinivasa Rao attacked him with Kodi Katti (knife used for rooster fights) in October 2018. His security personnel overpowered Srinivasa Rao and caught hold of him before handing him over to the police. Srinivasa Rao was working on a contract basis at the airport.