E-Paper
Andhra HC cancels default bail granted to retired IAS officer, two others
The three accused were granted default bail by a special court for ACB cases in Vijayawada on September 6
HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh high court on Wednesday cancelled the default bail granted to retired IAS officer K Dhanunjay Reddy, former officer-on-special duty in the chief minister’s office P Krishna Mohan Reddy and Bharathi Cements director Balaji Govindappa in the ₹3,500 crore liquor scam that allegedly took place during the previous YSR Congress party regime, people familiar with the matter said on Thursday.
The three accused were granted default bail by a special court for anti-corruption bureau (ACB) cases in Vijayawada on September 6 on the ground that the special investigation team (SIT) probing the case, had failed to file a complete chargesheet within the stipulated time.
Challenging that order, the SIT approached the high court on September 9 seeking the cancellation of bail granted to Dhanunjaya Reddy (Accused-31), Krishnamohan Reddy (A-32), and Bharathi Cements director Balaji Govindappa (A-33).
A bench headed by justice Venkata Jyothirmayi, which reserved its orders on September 26, on Wednesday set aside the ACB court’s bail order and directed the three accused to surrender before the court on or before November 26.
The judge initially mentioned November 24 as the deadline, but extended it by two more days following a request by the accused.
While the high court partially allowed the SIT’s petitions, it said the accused were free to file regular bail applications before the ACB court, which must examine them on merit and pass appropriate orders after due hearing.
