In a move, considered first of its kind, the A P High Court has taken cognisance of the allegations made by textiles minister Shankar Rao in the media against two of his colleagues home minister Sabita Indra Reddy and excise minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana.

Justice L Narasimha Reddy of the A P High Court on Tuesday expressed concern over the high-level corruption that is allegedly taking place in the ministries of home and excise in the state and felt that it is essential that a CBI probe is conducted against home minister Sabita Indra Reddy and excise minister Mopidevi Venkata Ramana. The judge made this order after taking suo motu note of the allegations made by textiles minister P Shankar Rao in the media on Monday to the effect that Sabita Indra Reddy and Mopidevi were taking huge amount of money from officials and effecting suitable postings for them.

According to minister Shankar Rao, Sabita Indra Reddy, home minister, her family members and some highly placed officers in the home department are involved in the corrupt activities. Similar is the case with the state excise minister. Shankar Rao had also said that the chief minister should not support the ministers and officers who are looting the people. Basing on these allegations, Justice Narasimha Reddy directed the registry to place this petition before an appropriate bench that looks after home matters immediately as the matter is of utmost importance. "Since the allegations pertain to the affairs in the home department, it is felt that the matter be investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)," Justice Narsimha Reddy said in his order.

Shankar Rao, the complainant, too was made a party for the limited purpose of enabling him to vouch for his allegations, to furnish additional material facts, paving the way for effective investigation and further steps.