No Bail for Ex-CM’s Aides in Andhra Pradesh Liquor Scam

Supreme Court Rejects Bail for Accused in Andhra Pradesh Liquor Scam

The Supreme Court has denied anticipatory bail to P Krishna Mohan Reddy and K. Dhananjaya, two individuals accused in the multi-crore Andhra Pradesh liquor scam. The court ruled that granting bail at this stage could jeopardize the ongoing investigation.

Reddy and Dhananjaya served as secretary and OSD, respectively, in the office of former Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy during the previous YSRCP regime. They are accused of conspiring to manipulate the liquor market, favoring a specific group. The case has also been investigated by the Competition Commission of India, although it was eventually closed.

Arguments Presented to the Court

Senior advocates representing Reddy and Dhananjaya argued that the case against them was politically motivated and that they were fully cooperating with the investigation. They claimed that the investigation was biased due to the change in government.

Conversely, lawyers representing the State of Andhra Pradesh vehemently opposed the bail applications, stating that there was a strong prima facie case against the accused. They argued that the investigation was at a crucial stage and that custodial interrogation might be necessary. The State also alleged that public funds amounting to over 3,000 crores had been misappropriated.

Court’s Reasoning

The Supreme Court ultimately decided not to exercise its discretion in granting anticipatory bail. The court acknowledged that the investigation was at a sensitive juncture and that granting bail could potentially hinder the agency’s efforts. It also emphasized the importance of a fair and impartial investigation, warning against any third-degree methods or undue influence on witnesses or co-accused.

The court further stated that while political bias might have legal implications, it was not sufficient grounds for granting anticipatory bail at this stage. It stressed the need to focus on the strength of the evidence presented.

The court clarified that any regular bail applications filed by the accused in the future will be considered on their merits, applying the correct legal principles.

Case Details

The case is titled P KRISHNA MOHAN REDDY Vs THE STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH and is listed as SLP(Crl) No. 7532/2025.