Vijayawada High Court Grants Bail to Three Accused in AP Liquor Scam Case
In a significant development in the ongoing Andhra Pradesh liquor scam investigation, the Vijayawada High Court on Friday granted bail to three accused individuals: Buneti Chanakya (A-8), M Balaji Kumar Yadav (A-35), and Navin Krishna (A-36). Justice Venkata Jyothirmayee Pratapa presided over the hearing and delivered the judgment, which comes after the accused had spent a considerable period in judicial custody.
Court's Rationale for Granting Bail
Justice Pratapa noted that the petitioners had been incarcerated for an extended duration, and other accused facing more severe allegations in the same case had already secured bail. The court emphasized that with the investigation concerning the specific roles of these three individuals now completed, continuing their detention would constitute an infringement of their rights and amount to punishment before trial.
The judge stated, "Keeping them in jail further would curtail their fundamental rights and essentially punish them before the trial has concluded." This observation formed the cornerstone of the court's decision to grant conditional bail.
Stringent Bail Conditions Imposed
The High Court did not grant bail unconditionally. Instead, it imposed a comprehensive set of requirements designed to ensure the accused cooperate fully with the ongoing legal process and do not obstruct justice.
- Each accused must submit two sureties of Rs 1 lakh each to the trial court.
- They are required to surrender their passports to the trial court authorities immediately.
- The accused must file a detailed affidavit within two weeks of their release, disclosing all movable and immovable assets, bank account details, demat account information, and particulars of their business interests.
- They are prohibited from leaving the state of Andhra Pradesh without prior notification to the investigating officer.
- The accused must provide their active WhatsApp contact numbers to investigators and ensure they remain available on phone at all times.
Ongoing Supervision and Reporting Requirements
Beyond the initial conditions, the court mandated continuous oversight. The accused are required to present themselves before the investigating officer every Saturday without fail. They must also appear whenever summoned for questioning or court proceedings.
The order explicitly warns the accused against attempting to influence witnesses in any manner whatsoever. Furthermore, they are barred from discussing the case with any media outlet or creating third-party rights on the assets declared in their affidavits.
Regarding business activities, the accused cannot participate in any transactions involving companies implicated in the liquor scam case without obtaining explicit prior permission from the investigating officer. Any change in their contact numbers must be promptly communicated to authorities.
Consequences for Violation
The High Court made it clear that the prosecution retains the right to seek cancellation of bail if any of these conditions are breached. This provision acts as a strong deterrent against non-compliance and ensures the accused adhere strictly to the court's directives throughout the trial process.
The AP liquor scam case has attracted significant public and media attention, involving allegations of irregularities in liquor distribution and licensing within the state. The granting of bail to these three accused marks a procedural step forward as the legal proceedings continue to unfold.
