Chronology
Timeline
Follow the record in sequence; every event opens to its supporting source.
Conspiracy planning meeting at Gangireddy's house
Dastagiri's section 164 confession (Gulte, Deccan Chronicle) records that Erra Gangireddy convened a meeting on February 2, 2019 at his house attended by Gajjala Umashankar Reddy, Yadati Sunil Yadav, and Dastagiri himself. Gangireddy asked Dastagiri to kill Vivekananda Reddy; when Dastagiri refused, Gangireddy said prominent figures — Avinash Reddy, Bhaskara Reddy, Manohar Reddy, and Shankar Reddy — were backing the plan. Total agreed amount: Rs 40 crore, with Dastagiri's share set at Rs 5 crore. Four days after this meeting Sunil Yadav gave Dastagiri Rs 1 crore advance (of which Rs 25 lakh was later taken back). These are Dastagiri's attributed claims, not adjudicated findings.
Weapon procured from Kadiri; dog killed; Sunil Yadav at Bhaskara Reddy's house
Dastagiri's confession (Deccan Chronicle, Gulte) records the operational preparations: about 20 days before the murder Umashankar Reddy killed Vivekananda's dog at the Pulivendula residence using a Honda Amaze car. Dastagiri then bought an axe from Kadiri, Anantapur district, and handed it to Sunil Yadav. On the night of March 14 — the eve of the murder — Sunil Yadav was staying at YS Bhaskara Reddy's house in Pulivendula. These logistics, cited from the approver's confession, form part of the CBI's circumstantial case against Bhaskara Reddy.
Murder at Pulivendula — execution as recorded in Dastagiri's confession
Vivekananda Reddy — younger brother of former AP CM YSR, former Kadapa MP, uncle of YS Jagan Mohan Reddy — was killed at his Pulivendula home in the early hours of March 15, 2019, hours before he was to launch YSRCP election campaign. NewsMeter's FIR account: personal assistant MV Krishna Reddy arrived at 5:30 a.m., found the bedroom door open and Viveka lying in a pool of blood in the bathroom with injuries to the forehead, back of head, and palm. Dastagiri's confession: Gangireddy entered first; the others jumped the compound wall; Sunil Yadav struck Viveka on the face; Umashankar Reddy hit him with the axe; the injured Viveka was taken to the bathroom where he was killed; all four fled by jumping the compound wall. Death was initially reported as a heart attack; Wikipedia cites seven stab/axe wounds on the body.
TDP government forms SIT; YSRCP demands CBI
The TDP-led state government constituted a Special Investigation Team. Wikipedia records that the YSRCP expressed distrust of the SIT and demanded a CBI investigation; the political sensitivity was acute because the victim was Jagan Mohan Reddy's uncle and the murder occurred the night before the 2019 elections.
CBI takes over investigation from state CID/SIT
Following AP High Court directions, the CBI took over the investigation. The Supreme Court later recorded that the AP High Court directed CBI further investigation in Crime No.84/2019 on 11 March 2020, and that CBI registered RC-04(S)/2020/SC-III/ND on 9 July 2020. The AP High Court Dastagiri-pardon order mirror also records that CBI then took up the investigation.
CBI arrests Sunil Kumar Yadav from Goa; Dastagiri's section 164 confession recorded
The CBI arrested Yadati Sunil Kumar Yadav from Goa. The AP High Court Dastagiri-pardon order mirror records that CBI took Dastagiri's section 161 statement on 25 August 2021 and that his section 164(1) confessional statement was recorded before a magistrate on 27 August 2021; it says he gave a detailed account of motive, conspiracy, and execution, then asked CBI to seek pardon. Gulte separately reported the section 164 date as 30 August 2021 and later published confession details; treat that date discrepancy as unresolved until the original 164 record is archived.
CBI files first chargesheet against four accused
The Supreme Court later recorded that CBI filed a charge sheet on 21 October 2021 against A1 Yerra Gangi Reddy, A2 Yadati Sunil Kumar Yadav, A3 Gajjala Uma Shankar Reddy, and A4 Shaik Dastagiri under IPC sections 302 and 120-B, while naming Avinash Reddy, Bhaskara Reddy, and two others as suspects. The News Minute reported the chargesheet filing date as 26 October 2021 and said it drew substantially on Dastagiri's statement.
Dastagiri's confession details become public; turns official CBI approver
Dastagiri's court-record path to approver status began with his statements in August 2021, his 21 October 2021 letter to CBI seeking pardon, CBI's 22 October 2021 pardon application, and the CJM Kadapa order dated 26 November 2021 in Crl.M.P. No.84/2021 tendering pardon to A4. Gulte, Deccan Chronicle, and Telugu360 reported confession details in November 2021, including the Feb 2 planning meeting, Rs 40 crore supari, axe from Kadiri, murder reconstruction, and his naming of Avinash Reddy and Bhaskara Reddy as alleged backing conspirators. These details are attributed claims by an approver; their cross-examination status in court is not yet in indexed sources.
AP High Court confirms pardon to Dastagiri
The AP High Court common order in Crl.P. Nos.6976 and 6980/2021 is archived here via Indian Kanoon because an official APHC PDF was not located. The order dismissed A1 and A3 challenges to the 26 November 2021 CJM Kadapa order in Crl.M.P. No.84/2021 tendering pardon to A4 Shaik Dastagiri. It records that the magistrate directed copies of Dastagiri's 161 and 164 statements to accused counsel, rejected the bargain theory, treated the confession as inculpatory, and held his evidence essential for direct evidence about what happened inside Viveka's house.
Supplementary chargesheet names Avinash Reddy as suspect; twin-motive theory crystallises
The Supreme Court later recorded that CBI filed a supplementary charge sheet on 31 January 2022 naming D. Siva Shankar Reddy as A5. The AP High Court Dastagiri-pardon order mirror records the preliminary charge-sheet theory: disputes over Kadapa MP ticket influence and a Bengaluru land settlement, a Rs 5 crore offer to Dastagiri, and alleged planning by A1-A3. ETV Bharat reported CBI named Avinash Reddy as a suspect, and NewsMeter reported CBI characterised the murder as driven by control over the Kadapa MP seat. These remain CBI allegations, not trial findings.
YS Sharmila gives CBI statement in Delhi — uncle killed for political reasons
YS Sharmila recorded her CBI statement at the CBI office in Delhi on October 7, 2022. She told investigators: 'He was not murdered for any financial or personal reason but it was a big reason to murder him.' She described how, two months before the murder, Vivekananda visited her residence and repeatedly insisted she contest the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat — which she understood as his way of blocking Avinash Reddy from getting the ticket. 'They might have kept this in their heart that this person was coming in their way. It may be a political murder or motive,' she said. The News Minute and Siasat reported the statement from the CBI's final chargesheet.
Supreme Court transfers trial to Hyderabad CBI court
In W.P.(Crl.) No.169/2022, the Supreme Court held that the victim's wife and daughter's fair-trial concern was not imaginary, noted police protection for witnesses Shaik Dastagiri and Ranganna, transferred the trial in RC-04(S)/2020/CBI/SC-III/New Delhi from the CBI Special Court at Kadapa to the CBI Special Court at Hyderabad, and directed CBI to complete further investigation into the larger conspiracy and destruction of evidence independently.
CBI arrests YS Bhaskara Reddy — named main conspirator
The CBI arrested YS Bhaskara Reddy, father of Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy, at Pulivendula on April 16, 2023. ETV Bharat quoted the CBI statement that Bhaskara Reddy was the main conspirator based on Dastagiri's testimony and corroborating evidence. Deccan Chronicle reported his production before a magistrate. Gulte, citing Dastagiri's April 2023 public statements, reported that Dastagiri alleged Avinash Reddy 'couldn't digest' Viveka's public popularity and decided to 'eradicate' him to control the region politically.
Supreme Court sets aside Telangana HC interrogation limits
In Criminal Appeal No.1251/2023, arising from SLP(Crl.) No.5198/2023, the Supreme Court set aside the Telangana High Court's 18 April 2023 order in Crl.P. No.3798/2023 that had required Avinash Reddy's CBI examination to proceed in written or printed questionnaire form. The Supreme Court said that order would stultify and gravely prejudice investigation, extended the CBI investigation deadline to 30 June 2023, and reproduced CBI affidavit and remand-proceeding allegations including Dastagiri's post-murder disclosure. Those quoted passages are allegations recorded in court papers, not trial findings.
CBI arrests sitting MP YS Avinash Reddy; released same day on anticipatory bail
The CBI arrested Kadapa MP YS Avinash Reddy on June 8, 2023. ETV Bharat reported he was released the same day after the Telangana High Court had earlier granted anticipatory bail (May 31, 2023); he was required to appear before the CBI every Saturday through June as a condition. YS Sharmila publicly stated that CM Jagan was 'shielding killers' and backing Avinash, per The News Minute.
Supreme Court calls for CBI chargesheet and sealed case diary
In SLP(Crl.) No.7449/2023, Dr. Suneetha Narreddy's challenge to the Telangana High Court's 31 May 2023 order in Crl.P. No.3798/2023, the Supreme Court ordered CBI to file its counter or reply, a copy of the chargesheet stated to have been filed on 28 June 2023, and the original case file and case diary in sealed cover. The same order listed connected matters including MA No.1285/2023 in Crl.A. No.1251/2023 and SLP(Crl.) Nos.6294/2023 and 6912/2023.
Final chargesheet: 8 accused named; Sharmila presented as secret witness; Kadapa seat motive stated
The CBI submitted its third and final supplementary chargesheet on July 20, 2023, formally naming all 8 accused including Avinash Reddy (A8) and Bhaskara Reddy (A7). YS Sharmila was presented as a 'secret witness' whose October 2022 statement corroborated the political motive. The South First reported CBI's claim of Rs 40 crore supari. NewsMeter reported the CBI stated plainly that the motive was control over the Kadapa MP seat and that Vivekananda Reddy had wanted the seat to go to Sharmila, Vijayamma, or himself — not Avinash. ETV Bharat reported that the CBI sought cancellation of Erra Gangireddy's bail, describing him as the primary execution-level conspirator.
Six key witnesses die under suspicious circumstances
ETV Bharat reported in March 2025 that six key witnesses had died under suspicious circumstances since the murder, most recently watchman Ranganna — the same person who had earlier given an eyewitness account of four men fleeing over the compound wall. Gulte reported Chief Minister Naidu ordered a separate probe.
AP government orders SIT into witness deaths; probe into threats to approver Dastagiri
The AP government formed a Special Investigation Team to probe the six witness deaths. The News Minute reported the government separately ordered an investigation into threats made against approver Shaik Dastagiri.
CBI informs Supreme Court probe is complete
The Additional Solicitor General informed the Supreme Court that the CBI had completed its investigation and that no further probe was required unless directed by the court, according to Metro India. In September 2025, an official Supreme Court order recorded the same posture more narrowly: CBI did not wish to conduct further investigation on its own and would do so if directed by a court.
Supreme Court dismisses Sunitha's pleas; directs trial to proceed
On 16 September 2025, the Supreme Court said it was not inclined at that juncture to pass orders on bail-cancellation or bail-challenge SLPs, permitted Dr. Suneetha Narreddy to seek further investigation before the trial court, directed that such an application not be rejected on maintainability and be decided within eight weeks, and recorded CBI's position that it would conduct further investigation only if directed. LiveLaw later reported the Supreme Court dismissed the remaining pleas and directed the trial court to proceed expeditiously. The case now rests with the Special CBI Court, Hyderabad.
Sunita demands CBI interrogate Jagan and Bharati
On the seventh anniversary of her father's murder, Dr. YS Suneetha Narreddy alleged the CBI was not investigating the case properly. She demanded that former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and his wife YS Bharati be interrogated — stating that the couple had not been questioned so far. Sunita said she had submitted evidence to the CBI but sleuths did not probe it in depth. She specifically alleged that phone conversations between the accused — described as extensive — were not investigated thoroughly. She said she would continue to fight until the case reached its logical conclusion. Deccan Chronicle reported her remarks to mediapersons in Kadapa.
Legal proceedings
Court record lanes
The branches keep separate proceedings and their identifiers distinct; they do not imply a final merits finding.
The case is before the Special CBI Court, Hyderabad after the Supreme Court transferred it from Kadapa on 29 November 2022. Official SCI PDFs now anchor the transfer, Avinash Reddy investigation order, connected bail/further-investigation proceedings, and CBI posture; the AP High Court Dastagiri-pardon order is currently archived only through an Indian Kanoon mirror. Trial has not concluded as of May 2026.
Hyderabad — RC-04(S)/2020/CBI/SC-III/New Delhi; trial pending
- FIR / CBI RC
- Crime No.84/2019, Pulivendula Urban Police Station, Kadapa district; CBI registered RC-04(S)/2020/SC-III/ND on 9 Jul 2020
- Accused (8)
- A1: Yerra Gangi Reddy · A2: Yadati Sunil Kumar Yadav · A3: Gajjala Uma Shankar Reddy · A4: Shaik Dastagiri (approver) · A5: D. Siva Shankar Reddy · A6: Gajjala Uday Kumar Reddy · A7: YS Bhaskara Reddy · A8: YS Avinash Reddy
- Charges
- SCI records IPC §§302 and 120-B in the first CBI charge sheet; court papers also discuss evidence destruction and larger conspiracy, but full final chargesheet text is not archived
- Dastagiri approver record
- 161 statement: 25 Aug 2021 · 164(1) statement: 27 Aug 2021 per APHC mirror · CJM Kadapa Crl.M.P. No.84/2021 tendered pardon on 26 Nov 2021 · APHC Crl.P. Nos.6976 & 6980/2021 dismissed challenges on 16 Feb 2022
- CBI chargesheets
- SCI records initial charge sheet on 21 Oct 2021 and supplementary charge sheet on 31 Jan 2022 naming A5; SC later referred to a charge sheet filed 28 Jun 2023; media reports a final supplementary charge sheet on 20 Jul 2023 naming all 8 accused
- Bail / further investigation
- Telangana HC Crl.P. No.3798/2023 bail order of 31 May 2023 was challenged in SLP(Crl.) No.7449/2023; on 16 Sep 2025 SC was not inclined to cancel or disturb bail at that juncture and left further-investigation request to the trial court
- Trial stage
- Trial pending at Special CBI Court, Hyderabad; no conviction or acquittal located — gap requiring direct trial-court register/order check
Multiple petitions — Dr. YS Suneetha Narreddy vs. CBI / Accused / State
- W.P.(Crl.) No.169/2022
- 29 Nov 2022 — trial moved from Kadapa to Hyderabad CBI court on fair-trial grounds; CBI directed to complete further investigation into larger conspiracy/destruction of evidence
- Crl.A. No.1251/2023 / SLP(Crl.) No.5198/2023
- 24 Apr 2023 — set aside Telangana HC's 18 Apr 2023 written-questionnaire interrogation order in Crl.P. No.3798/2023; CBI deadline extended to 30 Jun 2023
- SLP(Crl.) No.7449/2023
- 18 Jul 2023 — Sunitha challenge to Telangana HC's 31 May 2023 bail order; CBI directed to file counter, charge sheet stated as filed on 28 Jun 2023, and original case file/case diary in sealed cover
- Connected proceedings
- Orders list SLP(Crl.) Nos.6294/2023, 6912/2023, 4448/2024, 11216/2025, 11217/2025, 12297/2025 and MA No.1285/2023 in Crl.A. No.1251/2023, among other connected bail/further-investigation matters
- 16 Sep 2025 order
- SC was not inclined to pass bail-cancellation/challenge orders at that juncture; permitted Sunitha to seek further investigation before trial court and recorded CBI would investigate further only if court-directed
- Reported 2025–2026 closure
- LiveLaw later reported SC dismissed remaining Sunitha pleas and directed expeditious trial; official final dismissal PDF still needs to be linked if located
Evidence boundary
Supported and not established
The line matters: archived records can support a finding without resolving every allegation, motive, or final outcome.
What the sources support
- The sources support that Vivekananda Reddy was found dead on 15 March 2019 at his Pulivendula home with multiple axe/stab wounds, and that the initial heart-attack claim was disputed by family and later contradicted by CBI findings.
- The sources support that Dastagiri gave a section 161 statement on 25 August 2021 and a section 164(1) confessional statement before a magistrate on 27 August 2021, according to the AP High Court order mirror; media reports place the 164 statement at Proddatur and give 30 August 2021, so the exact recorded date remains a source conflict until the original statement is archived.
- The sources support that Dastagiri's confession, as summarized by court and media sources, described a planning meeting on 2 February 2019, an axe bought from Kadiri, Umashankar Reddy striking Viveka with the axe, and the murder completed in the bathroom.
- The sources support that Dastagiri named Avinash Reddy, Bhaskara Reddy, Manohar Reddy, and Shankar Reddy as the figures who backed the conspiracy and offered Rs 40 crore total for the murder.
- The sources support that CJM Kadapa tendered pardon to A4 Shaik Dastagiri on 26 November 2021 and that the AP High Court dismissed challenges to that pardon on 16 February 2022; the official APHC PDF is not yet archived, so the dossier uses an Indian Kanoon mirror for this order.
- The sources support that the CBI filed charge sheets naming eight accused and that Dastagiri's approver testimony was central to the CBI's case against Avinash Reddy (A8) and Bhaskara Reddy (A7).
- The sources support that YS Sharmila gave a CBI statement on October 7, 2022 stating the murder was for political reasons — specifically, Vivekananda's opposition to Avinash Reddy getting the Kadapa Lok Sabha seat — and that the CBI presented her as a secret witness in the final chargesheet.
- Official Supreme Court PDFs support the 29 November 2022 transfer to Hyderabad, the 24 April 2023 setting aside of Telangana HC interrogation limits, the 18 July 2023 sealed case-diary/chargesheet direction, and the 16 September 2025 further-investigation and bail posture.
- The sources support that six witnesses died under suspicious circumstances as of March 2025, and that CBI did not wish to conduct further investigation on its own by September 2025 unless directed by a court.
What remains unresolved
- The sources do not establish guilt of YS Avinash Reddy or YS Bhaskara Reddy — they are charged accused on bail; no trial verdict has been recorded as of May 2026.
- The motive conflict between political (Kadapa MP seat) and financial (Bengaluru land settlement) is unresolved: both appear in Dastagiri's confession and neither has been adjudicated by a court.
- The full verbatim Dastagiri section 164 confession statement has not been located in an official public archive or archived locally; this dossier uses AP High Court order summaries and media extracts until the original statement or certified copy is obtained.
- Dastagiri's approver testimony has not been cross-examined in open court in any indexed source; the court's final assessment of its credibility is not established.
- The sources do not establish whether the six witness deaths — including watchman Ranganna, who was a corroborating eyewitness — were caused by anyone connected to the case.
- The sources do not include the FIR text, full chargesheet text, sealed case diary, forensic/medical evidence, or trial-court merits orders; the AP High Court Dastagiri-pardon order is archived only through Indian Kanoon because an official APHC PDF was not located.
- Whether the earlier TDP-government SIT was impaired (as YSRCP alleged) or the YSRCP government later shielded the accused (as Sharmila, Sunitha, and TDP alleged) has not been adjudicated in indexed sources.
- YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and YS Bharati have not been interrogated by the CBI as of March 2026, per Dr. YS Suneetha Narreddy's public statement. No indexed source records CBI summonsing or questioning either person, and no court order requiring their interrogation has been reported.