Andhra Pradesh high court dismises anticipatory bail pleas of YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy's secretary, 2 others in liquor scam case
anticipatory bail
petitions filed by K Dhananjaya Reddy, who worked as secretary in the chief minister's office during the YSRCP regime, P Krishna Mohan Reddy, OSD to then chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, and Balaji Govindappa, one of the directors in Bharati Cements, in the alleged
liquor scam case
.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
They had moved the high court seeking anticipatory bail, apprehending arrest in the liquor case based on the confessional statements of other accused individuals. After considering lengthy arguments on both sides, the court observed that as the investigation is at an initial stage, granting anticipatory bail may adversely affect the investigation process.
Dismissing the arguments of the petitioners that confessional statements of other accused individuals cannot be used to implicate them in the case, the high court observed that the statements of other accused individuals can be used as an investigation lead and can also be admissible evidence during trial under Section 30 of the Indian Evidence Act.
The court further observed that the allegations against the petitioners are serious in nature, and the prosecution submitted prima facie evidence suggesting their involvement in the alleged
criminal conspiracy
. Taking note of the accusations that Rs 3,200 crore was collected as kickback for the liquor syndicate, the court stated that the petitioners are not entitled to anticipatory bail, as the power under Section 438 of CrPC should be sparingly exercised in extraordinary circumstances.
Stating that the investigation officer should be given a free hand to unravel the broader conspiracy and that there is a need for custodial interrogation of the petitioners to confront them with gathered evidence, the high court said it found no merit in granting anticipatory bail and dismissed the petitions.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Arunachal to fast-track all green energy projects: Khandu
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday said that the state is on a decade-long mission to fast-track all green energy projects, revive stalled ones, and embrace public-private partnerships. In his Independence Day speech at IG Park here, Khandu said that as the state is advancing towards 'viksit (developed) Arunachal' by 2024, the year marking 100 years of India's independence, people have to look for green energy. "With unmatched natural potential, Arunachal is becoming India's green energy powerhouse. Our hydropower and critical mineral resources like graphite, limestone, dolomite will power solar panels, batteries, and electric mobility for decades to come," he said. The CM said big projects like the 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Project will be ready by May 2026 and the 2,880 Mw Dibang Multipurpose Project is on track for completion by February 2032. The Arunachal government has already declared 2025-35 as the Decade of Hydropower. "In the next 3 years alone, we will kick off work on new hydropower projects worth Rs 2 lakh crore, adding another 19 GW of capacity," Khandu said. He said these projects are not just about energy; they are about empowerment. The projects will bring in over Rs 4,000 crore annually as free power to the state and Rs 750 crore to support local area development. Every year, nearly Rs 2,000 crore in dividends will flow directly to our state. In addition to better roads, schools, etc, it will generate 30,000 direct jobs in construction and operations. On the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), which has faced stiff opposition from the Adi community, the chief minister said the government is aware of the strategic significance of the project- both India's water and national security. "The government is also mindful and appreciative of the concerns that have been raised by some of our Adi brothers and sisters. We have been holding detailed consultations with people of all the likely affected areas to allay these concerns," he said. Thanking the people of Riga and Riew villages in Siang district for signing the MoU for support of the pre-feasibility report of the SUMP, Khandu said, "I assure the people of the Siang region that the government remains committed to holding detailed consultations in future as well." He said Arunachal has already secured issuance of 16,326 carbon credits in 2023-24 due to its immense hydropower potential. Arunachal is in advanced stages of approval of an additional 7,275 carbon credits in 2024-25. Each carbon credit represents the reduction of 1,000 kilograms of carbon emissions - a testament to the government's tangible contribution towards reducing the global carbon footprint. These efforts, Khandu said, are not only critical for the environment but also open up new economic opportunities for our people - especially for our youth, entrepreneurs, and local communities. To this end, the CM said, the government is creating the Arunachal Pradesh Energy Vision and Action Plan 2047 with clear targets for the next 5, 10, and 22 years. Green energy will be our strength, our export, and our identity. PTI
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
MTNL's underground copper cable worth Rs 21 lakh stolen in Goregaon
The Goregaon police in Mumbai on Thursday registered a case against unidentified people after an underground copper cable belonging to the Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) worth Rs 21.60 lakh was stolen. Junaid Mohammad Khan, the MTNL deputy manager responsible for maintaining telephone and cyber lines in the Goregaon and Malad areas, stated in his police complaint that a mechanic working in the public sector company learnt during an inspection on Wednesday that the underground copper cable near Patkar College in Goregaon had been stolen. He then alerted Khan, who came to the spot with his colleague, according to the complaint. A preliminary investigation revealed that unknown people had stolen the underground copper cable, which had been laid nearly three decades ago. Khan reported the matter to his senior officers, who instructed him to file a police complaint. Acting on his complaint, the Goregaon police registered the FIR against unidentified people, said a police official. The police said they were conducting a thorough investigation and checking CCTV footage from the area to identify the accused. The cable's length is 360 m and is worth Rs 21.60 lakh, said a police officer. There are a few thieves in the station limits, said an officer of the Goregaon police station, adding that someone who was well aware of the copper cable's presence underground was likely behind the theft.
Hans India
an hour ago
- Hans India
India Inc. hails PM Modi's call to empower youth, bolster MSMEs
New Delhi: The country's apex business chamber, the Confederation of Indian industry (CII), on Friday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day call for empowering India's youth, strengthening MSMEs and accelerating the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' mission. 'CII is committed to supporting this journey by fostering entrepreneurship, facilitating market linkages for MSMEs, and enabling the skills and infrastructure needed for a truly self-sustaining economy,' the business chamber said in a statement. The milestone of Rs 1 lakh crore youth empowerment initiative of the PM-Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, with its Rs 15,000 support for first-time job seekers, has the potential to create large-scale employment opportunities, enhance skills, and open pathways for sustained livelihoods, CII Director General Chandrajit Banerjee said. MSMEs, as the backbone of India's economy, stand to gain significantly from these measures. Increased access to talent, targeted incentives, and a stronger domestic manufacturing ecosystem will enable them to scale, innovate, and integrate more deeply into global value chains. The emphasis on indigenous capabilities, whether in high-tech sectors like semiconductors, defence systems such as the Sudarshan Chakra Mission, or renewable and energy self-reliance, reinforces the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. "Furthermore, the success of Operation Sindoor reflects India's growing defence capabilities and underscores the imperative of safeguarding national and economic security through enhanced indigenous systems, accelerated development of advanced military technologies, and self-reliance in critical defence infrastructure and supply chains," the statement added.. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a 103-minute Independence Day address from the ramparts of the Red Fort, marked a watershed moment for its sweeping articulation of a self-reliant, strategically autonomous, and technologically empowered nation. Framed as a roadmap to a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the speech blended policy announcements with ideological clarity, underscoring India's transformation from dependence to global confidence. Among the most ambitious announcements was the rollout of India's first Made in India semiconductor chip by year-end, alongside the opening of the nuclear sector to private players. PM Modi emphasised that self-reliance must extend to jet engines, social media platforms, fertilisers, and pharmaceuticals. The National Critical Minerals Mission and the Deepwater Exploration Mission were presented as foundational steps toward securing energy and industrial autonomy, with 1,200 mineral sites under exploration and offshore energy resources being tapped to reduce foreign fuel dependence.
