Midhun Reddy approached the Supreme Court after the Andhra Pradesh High Court dismissed his plea for anticipatory bail.
Published Jul 18, 2025 | 3:30 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 18, 2025 | 3:30 PM
YSRCP MP Midhun Reddy. (X)
Synopsis: The Supreme Court on 18 July denied anticipatory bail to YSRCP MP PV Midhun Reddy in the ₹3,200 crore Andhra liquor scam. The SIT, probing alleged corruption during YSRCP’s 2019–2024 rule, issued a lookout notice for Reddy. Accused of favouritism and kickbacks, the case also involves Raj Kasireddy, with ED and SIT investigating under IPC sections 420, 409, and 120B.
In a setback to Rajampet YSRCP MP PV Midhun Reddy, the Supreme Court on Friday, 18 July, refused to grant anticipatory bail in the alleged ₹3,200 crore liquor scam allegedly perpetrated during the YSRCP’s tenure in Andhra Pradesh.
Midhun Reddy approached the Supreme Court after the Andhra Pradesh High Court dismissed his plea for anticipatory bail.
A division bench of the Supreme Court, comprising Justices JP Pardiwala and R Mahadevan, did not grant the petitioner time to surrender before the investigation agency, despite the MP’s senior advocate AM Singhvi requesting one week’s time.
Singhvi aruged in the Supreme Court that lack of a direct accusation undermines the basis for arrest attempts by the police. He also argued on behalf of his client that attempts to arrest him ahead of the Parliament session, beginning on 21 July, were potentially motivated, but his argument did not convince the apex court.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the case, has already issued a lookout circular (LoC) to prevent Midhun Reddy from leaving the country following the high court’s refusal of anticipatory bail.
Midhun Reddy’s whereabouts are currently unknown. The SIT has constituted special teams to locate him, anticipating that the Supreme Court would dismiss his anticipatory bail petition.
Midhun Reddy sought anticipatory bail from the Andhra Pradesh High Court after learning that the SIT had uncovered his involvement in the liquor scam. The court dismissed his petition on 3 April, as he was not listed as an accused in the case at that time. Subsequently, Midhun Reddy, while remaining incommunicado, filed a petition with the Supreme Court, anticipating his potential arrest.
The liquor scam is a high-profile corruption case involving financial irregularities and mismanagement in the state’s liquor policy during the YSRCP’s rule from 2019 to 2024. The police suspect that under the YSRCP regime, public funds were siphoned off through kickbacks and favouritism in liquor licensing and distribution.
Kasireddy Rajasekhar Reddy (Raj Kasireddy), who served as IT advisor to Jagan Mohan Reddy when he was the chief minister is accused No 1 and is considered king pin in the case.
The scam allegedly involved manipulating liquor licenses, allowing select private entities to dominate the market and extracting illegal payments. The SIT claims that the policy was designed to benefit a few liquor barons and YSRCP affiliates.
After the TDP-led NDA came to power in the state in June 2024, it constituted an SIT to probe the alleged scam. The Enforcement Directorate also registered a money laundering case and is investigating the muddle. The SIT registered the case under sections 420 (cheating), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servants), and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
