The CBI has started a probe into the alleged disproportionate assets amassed by Andhra Pradesh police chief V Dinesh Reddy on the directions of the Supreme Court.

The agency has registered a preliminary enquiry into allegations that Reddy, a 1977-batch Andhra Pradesh cadre IPS officer, had amassed properties which are disproportionate to his known sources of income, CBI sources said in New Delhi today.

A bench of justices B S Chauhan and S A Bobde had directed the CBI to conduct the probe and file status report within four weeks in connection with the allegations.

"The appeals are disposed of directing the CBI to investigate the matter against V Dinesh Reddy on the allegations of acquiring the disproportionate assets," the bench said while passing order on a plea of Umesh Kumar, an IPS officer who filed the complaint against the DGP by allegedly forging the signature of an MP M A Khan.

The bench said probe is needed on the complaint even though it may be "forged or fabricated" as there was substance in the allegation levelled against Reddy.

It said, "Even though the complaint was bogus, however, the sale deeds annexed along with the same, though illegally collected by someone, have not been found to be fabricated documents".

"It becomes evident that in case there is some substance in the allegations and material exists to substantiate the complicity of the applicant (Reddy), the case is to be examined in its full conspectus and the proceedings should not be quashed only on the ground that the same had been initiated with mala fides to wreak vengeance or to achieve an ulterior goal," the bench had said.