SC Extends Interim Protection to 3 Accused in Rs.3,500 Cr AP liquor Scam

A three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, however, declined to interfere with the High Court’s order cancelling the default bail granted to the accused. The apex court asked the accused to approach the trial court and seek regular bail.

On November 19, the High Court had cancelled the default bail and directed the accused to surrender before the trial court on November 26 and apply for regular bail.

The Supreme Court had earlier issued notices to the Andhra Pradesh government and others on petitions filed by Balaji Govindappa, Pellakuru Krishna Mohan Reddy and K. Dhanunjaya Reddy, and had granted them interim protection from surrender until further orders.

K. Dhanunjaya Reddy is a retired IAS officer who served as a secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office. Krishna Mohan Reddy was the Officer on Special Duty to former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, while Balaji Govindappa was a director of Bharati Cements.

Senior advocates C.A. Sundaram, Siddharth Dave and Mukul Rohatgi appeared for the petitioners, while senior advocate Siddharth Luthra represented the Andhra Pradesh government.

The prosecution has alleged a political-business nexus, citing manipulation in liquor procurement between 2019 and 2024 during the previous YSRC government, suppression of popular brands, preferential orders to new labels and systematic receipt of kickbacks.