The Telangana High Court on Friday dismissed a series of appeals filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) contesting an order from the Appellate Tribunal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The tribunal had directed the release of assets seized in connection with the alleged Vanpic quid pro quo case, which involves former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and industrialist Nimmagadda Prasad.
High Court Upholds Tribunal's Order
A division bench comprising Justices P Sam Koshy and Suddala Chalapathi Rao upheld the tribunal's July 2019 order, stating that no additional evidence or valid reasons had been presented to justify intervention. The court firmly concluded that there was no basis to overturn the tribunal's findings. The bench further noted that the tribunal's reasoning sufficiently addressed all raised issues and did not require appellate review.
Background of the Case
The ED had filed appeals against several companies and individuals, including Jagan and Prasad. According to the ED, Prasad allegedly received undue benefits from the Vanpic project and, in return, invested ₹854.50 crore in companies linked to Jagan as a quid pro quo. On these grounds, the ED attached multiple properties and initiated proceedings under the PMLA.
Tribunal's Earlier Ruling
The Appellate Tribunal, after examining the sequence of events, concluded that the investments in Jagan-linked companies were made before the Vanpic project was conceived. Therefore, the tribunal held that these investments could not be considered bribes or illegal gratification tied to the project and ordered the release of the attached assets.
Challenging these conclusions, the ED approached the High Court, seeking to annul the tribunal's order. The matter was reserved for judgment in December 2025.
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About the Author: Pinto Deepak is a Legal Correspondent for The Times of India, Hyderabad, covering the Telangana High Court and Supreme Court matters related to the state. Formerly reported on crime in Telangana, including high-profile and violent cases in Hyderabad. Now focused on legal developments, constitutional issues, and judicial accountability in the state's top courts.
