Sam Bob, Jagan case

Hyderabad High Court quashed a charge sheet filed by CBI against retired IAS officer B Sam Bob in the disproportionate assets case of YSR Congress Party supremo Jagan Mohan Reddy.

Sam Bob who was the Principal Secretary of Industries and Commerce Department when the crime took place. He was cited as an accused related to the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signed with Lepakshi Knowledge Hub for development of industrial park in Anantapur district. He knocked the doors of the court stating that the CBI proceeded against him without approval from the state and central governments.

APIIC allotted 8841 acres of land at cheap rates to Indu group of companies chaired by I Syam Prasad Reddy. CBI counsel said that Sam Bob was part of the conspiracy which commenced with land allotment and ended with Rs 70 crore bribe in Jagan firms. While no hub came up in Anantapur, CBI said that Sam Bob played an influential role in this fraud.

Sam Bob just processed the file as per the state’s business rules and industrial promotion policy. Moreover, the counsel cited that several safety clauses like resumption of land in the event of project not coming upwere included. The MOA was ratified by Cabinet after Finance secretary, Chief Secretary and the Chief Minister approved it.

The Centre said that the official simply administered the MoA under the Industrial Policy 2005-10 and has not violated any rules.

The Union government has to prosecute IAS officer under Prevention of Corrupution Act. While the state government has to prosecute a public servant under the Indian Penal Code. But neither state nor the central government agreed for prosecution.

Justice M Seetharama Murti pronounced this verdict citing a previous Supreme Court Judgement.