In a more dramatic to the case, former Karnataka Minister and mining baron of Ballari, Gali Janardhana Reddy who was evading arrest in a money laundering case, has appeared before the Karnataka crime branch police on Saturday. Just before he surrendered, Reddy sent a video recording to the media and claimed “he was innocent”.
He said that though he was asked to appear before CCB officers for questioning tomorrow (Sunday), he was appearing one day early on his own. This was visible in a recorded video released by him to the media from unknown destination on Saturday.
In the recorded video before leaving for CCB office, Reddy said that “I was in Bengaluru only. I received notice only yesterday and I am appearing one day early with my Lawyer. I will fully cooperate with the investigating officers in the case”.
He said that “I was not absconding as appeared in a section of the press including Print and electronic media. Police are spreading derogatory remarks against me.”
“CCB don’t have even a single proof against me and my name was not included in the FIR filed. If they had any proof they should have released to the press. I am a son of a Police family and hence there is no need for absconding when I have not committed any wrong,” he added.
CCB, which is investigating into money laundering by Bellari based Ambidant Marketing Pvt Ltd., on which the Enforcement Directorate had conducted raid. Reddy was alleged to have involved in receiving 57 kg gold worth Rs 18 crore to help an accused in a multi-crore cheating case being investigated by the ED.
CCB had issued notice to Reddy to appear before the investigating officer in connection with his possible role in bailing out Ambidant owner Syed Ahmed Fareed in an ED case over a Ponzi scheme.
CCB had formed despatched teams to Hyderabad, Ballari and held raids on his residence and offices since last three days and were searching for Reddy for questioning in connection with Rs 23 crore transaction in violation of FERA.
Reddy said that CCB, without coming under any political pressure, should act and conduct investigation honestly. He said that he wanted to speak to CCB officers as soon as news was spread against him. But since his advocates suggested that since there was no Notice received or name appearing in the FIR there is no need to go to CCB.
“But yesterday I received a notice to appear before November 11, I am appearing one day early to prove that I am clean and there is no need to be afraid,” he added.
The Karnataka high Court on Friday posted for Monday the hearing on Reddy’s anticipatory bail plea after the Judge questioning his advocate why he is not appearing before CBI for questioning.