In a setback to YSR Congress Party MP P Mithun Reddy, the Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday rejected his petition seeking anticipatory bail in connection with the alleged liquor scam that occurred during the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy-led government.
The Crime Investigation Department (CID) had registered a case in the alleged scam and questioned several individuals involved in irregularities related to liquor sales and manufacturing under the previous YSRCP regime.
Although Mithun Reddy was not officially named in the case, the Rajampet MP filed an anticipatory bail petition in the High Court last month, reportedly fearing that the state government might implicate him in the case.
In his plea, he cited media reports that claimed his name had been mentioned in the FIR concerning liquor irregularities.
He also referred to a reported statement by Excise Deputy Commissioner Satyaprasad, which allegedly included his name.
Reddy argued that, as a Member of Parliament, he had no role in the state government's policy decisions.
He strongly objected to being linked to the case, stating that while some distilleries were allocated quotas and others saw reductions, associating him with these administrative decisions was unjustified. He firmly denied any involvement in the alleged scam.
Initially, the High Court had directed the police not to take any action against him. However, after hearing arguments from all sides, the court delivered its judgment, dismissing his petition for anticipatory bail.
