Gali wants money seized by CBI

HYDERABAD: Former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy’s counsel has urged the special court for CBI cases to ensure that the money seized from the residences of his client and his brother-in-law be put in fixed deposits in their names so that they can get back the money with interest after completion of the trial.He made the request on Tuesday during hearing of a petition filed by income tax officials who requested the court to direct the CBI to hand over the seized money to the department. The IT department did not state as to how it is entitled to the money nor did it say that Gali Reddy had tax dues. The company was to file IT returns before Oct 31 but the money had been seized on September 5,’’ the defence counsel argued. It’s my money and not liable for confiscation,’’ Reddy said through his counsel.The judge said the money would be put in fixed deposits in the case number but not in the name of the accused.The mining baron’s counsel also said that the vehicles and helicopters seized by the CBI should be returned. The vehicles were not purchased with the proceeds of the OMC. The petitioner had several other businesses like real estate and hotels and the vehicles belonged to those firms, the counsel said.The judge posted the matter for orders on April 26.