Hyderabad: Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy to appear before it on Oct 14 as part of its money laundering investigation linked to the murder of former minister YS Vivekananda Reddy. The ED is examining the alleged financial trail behind the killing, including suspected payments made to those accused in the case.The summons comes after the ED questioned accused Yadati Sunil Yadav on Sept 25 and Yerra Gangi Reddy on Sept 29. It has also examined Shaik Dastagiri, who later turned approver in the murder case.Investigators are probing allegations that a ₹40-crore contract was struck to execute the murder. The ED is also examining claims of a ₹1 crore advance payment to Dastagiri and an alleged ₹4 crore cash transfer. Bank transactions and fund movements linked to the accused since 2019 are under scrutiny as the ED seeks to establish the money trail.The ED registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Aug 2025 based on the CBI’s FIR and subsequent chargesheets. While the CBI investigated the murder, the alleged conspiracy and destruction of evidence, the ED’s probe focuses on the financial transactions connected to the case.On Aug 21, the ED conducted searches at six locations in Hyderabad and Kadapa district, including Avinash Reddy’s villa at Kokapet, the Narsingi residence of accused D Siva Shankar Reddy, and premises linked to YS Bhaskar Reddy, Gangi Reddy, Sunil Yadav and Dastagiri.CBI’s conspiracy chargesVivekananda Reddy was found murdered on March 15, 2019. According to the CBI, political rivalries tied to the 2017 MLC elections and the allocation of the 2019 Kadapa Lok Sabha ticket were at the heart of the alleged conspiracy.The CBI alleged that although Avinash Reddy was not present when the murder took place, he was part of the conspiracy and subsequent efforts to erase evidence. The CBI cited WhatsApp activity around the time of the murder, Dastagiri’s testimony and what it alleges was a fabricated claim that Vivekananda Reddy had died of a heart attack.The CBI named Avinash Reddy as accused No. 8 in 2023. Telangana high court granted him anticipatory bail on May 31 that year while directing him to cooperate with investigators.Avinash Reddy has denied the allegations, maintaining that he and his family have been falsely implicated in the case.In a separate case, the ED has issued notices to Vijayanand Reddy, YSRCP’s Chittoor assembly candidate in the 2024 elections, in connection with its probe into alleged irregularities in Andhra Pradesh liquor transportation contracts.
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