ED Searches Seven Locations in Hyderabad and Kadapa in YS Viveka Murder Case

The Enforcement Directorate conducted simultaneous searches at seven locations in Hyderabad and Kadapa on Friday as part of its money laundering probe linked to the 2019 murder of former Andhra Pradesh minister and Member of Parliament Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy.

The searches were carried out under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act at premises associated with several key suspects in the case. The locations included properties linked to YSRCP Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy and his father Y.S. Bhaskar Reddy, alongside suspects D. Shiva Shankar Reddy, T. Gangi Reddy, and Y. Sunil Yadav.

During the operations, agency officials seized incriminating documents and digital devices. According to the Enforcement Directorate, unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 24 lakh and two locker keys were recovered from premises belonging to Avinash Reddy.

The federal agency initiated its money laundering investigation based on the FIR and three chargesheets filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation, which named Avinash Reddy, Bhaskar Reddy, Shiva Shankar Reddy, Gangi Reddy, Sunil Yadav, and others as suspects.

Vivekananda Reddy, the paternal uncle of former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, was found murdered at his residence in Pulivendula in Kadapa district in March 2019. The Andhra Pradesh High Court had later directed the CBI to take over and pursue further investigation into the killing.

The ongoing financial probe focuses on tracking the alleged money trail connected to the murder conspiracy. According to the Enforcement Directorate, approver Shaik Dastagiri had alleged that Rs 40 crore was promised for carrying out the murder. Dastagiri also disclosed receiving Rs 1 crore from Sunil Yadav, while the CBI previously seized Rs 46.70 lakh in cash and unaccounted jewellery from lockers linked to Syed Munna and his mother.

Officials stated that further investigation into the financial transactions and conspiracy remains underway.