A special Enforcement Directorate court in Hyderabad on Thursday granted conditional bail to key accused, including Raj Kesireddy, in the alleged multi-crore Andhra Pradesh liquor scam.
Former Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited managing director D Vasudeva Reddy was also granted bail.
The court passed the orders after hearing arguments from the defence, which submitted that Kesireddy and Vasudeva Reddy had cooperated with the investigation and that the probe had reached an advanced stage.
The defence also argued that their release on bail would not hamper the investigation. After considering the submissions, the court granted bail subject to several conditions.
The accused were reportedly directed not to leave the country without prior permission from the court. They were also barred from contacting, threatening or attempting to influence witnesses connected with the case.
The court further directed them to surrender their passports and remain available for questioning whenever summoned by the investigating agency. They were also asked to furnish bail bonds, subject to compliance with the conditions imposed.
The case relates to alleged irregularities in Andhra Pradesh’s liquor policy and related transactions during the previous YSRCP government.
Investigating agencies have alleged that irregularities took place in areas including liquor procurement, transportation, brand approvals and cash transactions. These allegations are still subject to judicial scrutiny.
The Enforcement Directorate is separately probing the money-laundering angle, including the alleged generation and routing of proceeds of crime through various entities.
The case has also involved separate investigations and proceedings by Andhra Pradesh agencies in connection with liquor transportation tenders and other alleged irregularities.
Earlier this month, the Supreme Court had denied anticipatory bail to Raj Kesireddy and Vasudeva Reddy in a separate liquor transportation tender case, while allowing them to seek regular bail after the execution of production warrants.
The latest bail order provides relief to the accused in the ED proceedings, while the broader investigations into the alleged liquor scam continue.
