HC Directs Accused in Liquor Transport Tender Case to Appear Before SIT

Vijayawada:The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday directed accused Eeswar Kiran Kumar in the liquor transport tenders lapses case to appear before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the CID and cooperate with the investigation.

A single judge bench of Justice Venkata Jyotirmai Pratapa heard two petitions seeking anticipatory bail in cases linked to the alleged Andhra Pradesh liquor scam and irregularities in liquor transport tenders.

The court declined to grant interim protection from arrest, observing that the accused had been absconding and that a non-bailable warrant was pending against him. It directed him to surrender before the lower court and pursue legal remedies thereafter.

Senior counsel for the petitioner S. Subramanyam submitted that his client was abroad for business purposes and was willing to cooperate with the investigation, including appearing before the investigating officer within a week.

On the other hand, SIT counsel B. Adinarayana Rao submitted that Eeswar Kiran Kumar is Accused No. 9 in the liquor scam case and Accused No. 3 in the transport tender irregularities case. He further alleged that the accused left the country after cases were registered and was staying in Dubai.

After hearing both sides, the court directed the accused to appear before the investigating officer in the transport tender case and posted further hearing to June.