The Andhra Pradesh high court on Wednesday delivered a setback to three prime accused in the alleged liquor scam that took place during the YSR Congress party government, by cancelling the default bail granted to them earlier by the ACB Special Court.
The accused — retired IAS officer K Dhanunjaya Reddy, former OSD in the chief minister’s office P Krishna Mohan Reddy and Bharati Cements director Balaji Govindappa — had secured default bail after the investigation agency failed to file a chargesheet within the stipulated time.
Challenging this, the CID approached the High Court, arguing that the ACB Court erred in granting bail.
Accepting the CID’s petition, the high court cancelled the bail and directed all three accused to surrender before the concerned judge before November 26.
It also instructed them to file fresh petitions seeking regular bail before the ACB Court. Further, the High Court directed the ACB Court to expedite the hearing of their regular bail applications.
The ruling is expected to sharpen the focus on the broader probe into the liquor syndicate’s alleged irregularities and financial misconduct during the previous regime.
