Congress Leader Jagga Reddy Cleared in Human Trafficking Case by Hyderabad Court
In a significant legal development, Congress senior leader and former MLA T Jayaprakash Reddy, widely known as Jagga Reddy, has been acquitted by the MP/MLAs court in Nampally, Hyderabad. The verdict, delivered on Thursday, pertains to a human trafficking case originally registered against him in 2018.
Background of the 2018 Case
The case dates back to September 10, 2018, when Market police arrested Jagga Reddy. He was accused of allegedly obtaining Indian passports and United States visas for three individuals by submitting fabricated documents. According to the Hyderabad police statement issued at the time, the accused used the names of his wife and two children on the applications but affixed photographs of other people.
The police alleged that these forged documents were utilized to traffic two women and one man to New York, with the transaction reportedly involving a sum of 15 lakh rupees. The applications for the passports and visas were said to have been made in 2004.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
A formal case was registered against Jagga Reddy, along with his friend J Kusum Kumar, visa agent Madhu, and others. They were booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Passport Act, and the Immigration Act. Following a thorough investigation, the police filed a chargesheet in March 2025, but only against Jagga Reddy and Kusum Kumar, excluding the other accused.
The trial was conducted in the special sessions court designated for the trial of MPs and MLAs in Nampally. After evaluating the evidence and arguments presented, the court reached its decision to acquit both defendants.
Defense Argument and Court's Ruling
Defense counsel G Santosh Reddy, representing Jagga Reddy and Kusum Kumar, emphasized the lack of substantial evidence against his clients. "The prosecution was not able to show any evidence to support the charges against my clients," he stated. "There was no evidence to demonstrate that the former MLA traveled to the USA or obtained passports and visas for others in the name of his family members. The court found my clients not guilty and acquitted them."
This acquittal marks a pivotal moment in the lengthy legal battle, clearing the Congress leader of the serious allegations that have been pending for several years. The case had drawn considerable attention due to the high-profile nature of the accused and the grave charges of human trafficking and document forgery.
The court's decision underscores the importance of concrete evidence in securing convictions, particularly in cases involving complex allegations of international trafficking and fraud. As the legal proceedings conclude, Jagga Reddy and his co-accused have been exonerated, bringing closure to this chapter of their legal challenges.
