Minister Dharmana Prasada rao’s petition challenging CBI court’s verdict of allowing CBI to prosecution has come before High Court yesterday. During a heated argument between CBI and Dharamana’s lawyers, CBI has openly blamed Kiran Kumar Reddy government for backing Minister Dharmana Prasada rao despite knowing his role in Vanpic lands issue. Ashok Bhan, representing CBI has expressed dismay over the state government’s attitude in backing the accused.

He said Dharmana has indulged in corrupt practice by misusing his powers as minister by granting 18,000 acres of land to Vanpic, where as the cabinet has approved 4,000 acres only, which itself proves his involvement in the case. He argued that Dharmana can’t be immune even though he is serving as a minister in the present government, because the case is related to his previous position in the previous government.

His public servant status and its immune automatically seizes as he has participated in the 2009 elections. He said the CBI court has allowed for his prosecution only after considering all these facts. But, Dharmana has filed this criminal revision petition in the High Court, while a case is pending at CBI court and while the CBI is investigating into it. Hence, he appealed the High Court to reject his petition.

Dharmana has deployed a senior advocate B. Kumar from Bangalore to counter CBI in the High Court. He argued that under section 19 of anti corruption laws, CBI can’t prosecute any minister unless the government grants permission for it.

He brings to court notice about CBI court’s earlier suggestion to attach the copy of the government’s permission forDharamana’s prosecution. He said the same court setting aside its own suggestion has allowed for his prosecution. He argued that the CBI court has no rights to alter its orders under section 362 of CRPC, merely because CBI has submitted a memo asking for his prosecution. He once again reiterated that the decision taken by his client Dharmana is not an individual one but it was a collective decision taken by the then cabinet. Hence, Dharmana can’t be blamed for the irregularities in this case, said B.Kumar.

The court has adjourned the case to 29th April.