AP state excise minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana on Tuesday appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for questioning in YS Jagan Mohan Reddy's alleged illegal assets case. He is the first minister to appear before CBI in the case.

Mopidevi Venkata Ramana was minister for infrastructure and investment during the tenure of late chief minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy when several decisions were taken allegedly to favour the latter's son Jagan Mohan Reddy. The CBI officials will question him with regard to certain orders allegedly benefiting companies that in turn invested in Jaganmohan Reddy’s business.

Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer Manmohan Singh also appeared before CBI. He was secretary, infrastructure and investment, when Mopidevi was the minister. Mopidevi is one of the six ministers and Manmohan Singh one of the eight IAS officers who were issued notices by the Supreme Court on March 12, asking them why their role should not be probed with regard to the 26 government orders issued during the tenure of Rajasekhara Reddy. The orders allegedly benefited companies in the form of lands and licenses, and they invested huge money in the businesses owned by Jagan under a quid pro quo arrangement.