The alleged scam is estimated to be worth ₹3,200 crore and is said to involve manipulation of excise policy to benefit certain liquor companies in exchange for kickbacks.
The Supreme Court on Friday granted bail to Andhra Pradesh liquor scam accused Muppidi Avinash Reddy, considered a crucial link in the alleged laundering of funds in the multi-crore case and a relative of the main accused Kassireddy Rajashekhar Reddy.
bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant passed the order after being informed that Reddy’s custodial interrogation was complete and that some co-accused in the case had already been granted bail.
While Reddy had moved the court against the rejection of his anticipatory bail by the Andhra Pradesh high court on January 29, the top court invoked its extraordinary powers under Article 142 of the Constitution to grant him regular bail.
The bench, also comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi, said, “Without expressing any opinion, we allow the petition by invoking our power under Article 142 to grant him regular bail subject to his furnishing bail bonds to the satisfaction of the trial court.”
The court had on February 24 refused to grant him interim protection upon learning that he had fled to Sri Lanka, stating that it would consider his plea only if he returned to the country and surrendered before the police.
On February 26, he surrendered in compliance with the court’s order and was subjected to custodial interrogation. Senior advocate Siddharth Dave, appearing for Reddy, pointed out that 11 co-accused in the case are already on bail while a few others remain in jail. He argued that Reddy was being unnecessarily dragged into the investigation due to his relation with the main accused.
