Y.S. Jagan appears before CBI court after six years; crowd triggers tension at Nampally

Hyderabad: YSRCP president and former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy appeared before the CBI special court in Nampally on Thursday, marking his first physical court appearance in six years in the disproportionate assets case. His last in-person hearing was on January 10, 2020.

Jagan returns to court amid legal setback

Although the court had directed him to appear on November 21, Jagan arrived a day earlier. He has been on bail since September 2013. During his tenure as Chief Minister, he was granted exemption from personal appearances due to security concerns. However, following his exit from office, the court ruled that he must now attend daily hearings related to discharge petitions in the ongoing cases.

Jagan, who is facing charges in 31 separate cases, completed the court formalities and returned to his residence at Lotus Pond.

Crowd frenzy outside court causes tension, traffic disruption

News of Jagan’s appearance triggered a large turnout of YSRCP supporters and fans, who gathered outside the court premises from early morning. Activists displayed massive banners with slogans like “Jagan 2.0 Loading,” “Raffa Raffa,” and “Jagan will be the next CM in 2029.” Some even issued warnings aimed at alliance leaders, vowing political retaliation if YSRCP returns to power.

As crowds grew, police enforced heavy security around the court complex. Central Zone DCP Shilpavalli, Additional DCP Anand, and Task Force ACP teams oversaw barricading and entry restrictions.

Jagan arrived around 11:30 a.m., sparking loud chants. A few supporters tried to climb onto vehicles in his convoy, prompting quick police intervention. The situation led to brief chaos and traffic disruptions extending over half a kilometer around Nampally.

To ease congestion, police diverted the convoy’s exit through an alternate gate, avoiding the main crowd buildup.