In a significant development, the Supreme Court of India has provided interim protection to a former IAS officer, a former Chief Minister's Officer on Special Duty (OSD), and an industrialist in the high-profile Andhra Pradesh liquor scam case.
Supreme Court Intervention
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi stayed the operation of the Andhra Pradesh High Court order that had cancelled their default bail. The decision came on November 26, 2025, marking a crucial turn in the legal battle surrounding the alleged liquor policy scandal.
Legal Proceedings and Default Bail
The accused individuals had initially secured default bail in the case, but the Andhra Pradesh High Court subsequently cancelled this relief. The Supreme Court's intervention has now temporarily restored their bail protection while the matter undergoes further judicial scrutiny.
The stay order means that the accused will remain protected from immediate arrest as the Supreme Court examines the legal merits of the High Court's decision to cancel their default bail.
Case Background and Implications
The Andhra Pradesh liquor scam case involves allegations of irregularities in the state's liquor policy and distribution system. The investigation has implicated several high-profile individuals, including bureaucrats and businessmen.
The Supreme Court's decision to stay the High Court order indicates that the top court found sufficient grounds to review the legal aspects of the default bail cancellation. This development is likely to delay the ongoing investigation and could set important legal precedents regarding default bail provisions in high-profile corruption cases.
Legal experts suggest that the Supreme Court's intervention highlights the importance of protecting the legal rights of accused individuals while ensuring that investigations proceed without undue interference.
