The Supreme Court on Wednesday denied pre-arrest bail to former Andhra Pradesh minister Karumuri Venkata Nageswara Rao in connection with alleged irregularities in state liquor transportation tenders.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana sustained an earlier decision by the Telangana High Court that refused relief to the former minister.
Arguments and Prior High Court Ruling
Legal counsel representing Rao had requested anticipatory bail on medical grounds, asserting that he had no involvement in the alleged fraudulent activities. The apex court’s decision follows the Telangana High Court’s order on July 3, which originally dismissed Rao’s petition for pre-arrest bail.
Scope of the Investigation
The probe centers on allegations of tender manipulation within the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited (APSBCL) involving liquor transportation contracts issued between 2020 and 2024. The investigation is being conducted under an independent Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) and remains separate from the primary Andhra Pradesh liquor scam case.
