The Andhra Pradesh High Court delivered a significant verdict on Monday, dismissing the regular bail petition filed by K Chinnappanna, the personal assistant to former Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) chairman Y V Subba Reddy. Chinnappanna is a key accused in the high-profile laddu ghee adulteration case that has shaken the renowned temple trust.
Court Hears Arguments from Both Sides
During the hearing, Chinnappanna's senior counsel, C Nageswara Rao, presented arguments seeking his client's release. Rao contended that while his client was accused of collecting commissions from suppliers, he was not directly involved in the actual process of adulterating the ghee used in the sacred Tirupati laddus. The counsel further pleaded that since the police custody period was over and the main accused—the suppliers of the adulterated ghee—had already secured bail, Chinnappanna should also be granted relief.
However, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is leading the Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Supreme Court, strongly opposed the bail plea. PSP Suresh Kumar, the standing counsel for the CBI, presented serious allegations against the petitioner.
CBI's Serious Allegations and Money Trail
Suresh Kumar informed the court that Chinnappanna was not a minor player. He alleged that the accused collected Rs 25 for every kilogram of adulterated ghee supplied by Bolebaba and other dairies to the TTD. Crucially, the CBI counsel asserted that Chinnappanna was fully aware that the ghee being supplied was adulterated.
The agency's opposition was rooted in the ongoing nature of the probe. Suresh Kumar argued that the investigation is actively working to unearth the complete money trail. He revealed that the accused allegedly used hawala channels to route the illicit money and is suspected to have purchased 14 plots in Visakhapatnam using the proceeds of the crime. Given the seriousness of these financial crimes and the need for a thorough investigation, the CBI insisted that bail should not be granted at this stage.
Justice Rao Reserves and Delivers Judgment
After carefully considering the arguments from both the defense and the prosecution, Justice Y Lakshmana Rao had reserved his orders. The judgment was pronounced on Monday, resulting in the dismissal of Chinnappanna's bail petition. This decision underscores the court's view of the case's gravity and the potential flight risk or interference with the investigation posed by granting bail at this juncture.
The case continues to spotlight the alleged corruption within the procurement processes of one of India's most revered religious institutions. The court's refusal of bail indicates that the legal proceedings are advancing with considerable scrutiny on all accused individuals, irrespective of their position or alleged specific role.
