The Directorate of Enforcement (ED), which is probing the money laundering angle in the murder of former MP Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy, has seized unaccounted cash of ₹24 lakh and two locker keys from the residence of Kadapa MP Y.S. Avinash Reddy, an accused in the case.

A team of the ED Hyderabad Zone conducted searches at seven locations on Friday, including the residences of Mr. Avinash Reddy in Kadapa and Hyderabad, as part of the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Also Read: ED summons Kadapa MP Avinash Reddy in money laundering case linked to Vivekananda Reddy’s murder

In a late-night release, the ED said the searches were conducted on the residential premises of the key accused in Hyderabad and Kadapa, and unaccounted cash, incriminating documents and digital devices were seized.

The ED said the CBI chargesheet, based on which the money-laundering probe began, revealed that YSR Congress Party leader D. Siva Shanker Reddy, an accused in the case, and his close associates, Mr. Avinash Reddy and his father Y.S. Bhaskar Reddy were unhappy when Vivekanand Reddy joined the YSRCP.

They feared that their increasing influence in politics could be challenged. To eliminate him, they allegedly hatched a criminal conspiracy and included his staff, including T. Gangi Reddy, Shaik Dastagiri and Y.Sunil Yadav, the chargesheet said.

Shaik Dastagiri later turned approver and was granted pardon by a Special CBI Court. Dastagiri disclosed that the conspiracy was hatched around a month prior to the murder.

Dastagiri claimed that Gangi Reddy told him that Siva Shankar Reddy and some senior politicians were also involved in the murder plan, the chargesheet said, adding that Siva Shankar Reddy promised the conspirators ₹40 crore for the murder.

The ED said further investigation is on progress.