Vijayawada: The supreme court on Tuesday dismissed the anticipatory bail petition filed by Muppidi Avinash Reddy, a key accused in the alleged liquor scam case. The top court directed him to surrender before the investigating officer on or before Feb 26. The court granted him liberty to apply for regular bail before the trial court.
Avinash Reddy moved the supreme court after the AP high court dismissed his anticipatory bail petition. The supreme court bench headed by chief justice of India, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said that Avinash Reddy must surrender and cooperate with the investigation in the alleged scam.
The apex court earlier also made serious comments during the hearing of the regular bail petition filed by the main accused, Raj Kesi Reddy. The court, while rejecting the bail application, said that Raj was the architect of the scam and there was prima facie evidence to suggest a large amount of money laundering along with Avinash Reddy. The supreme court also commented that Raj could be in jail until Avinash Reddy surrendered.
The prosecution argued that Avinash Reddy was evading arrest and was suspected of having fled the country. It further argued that Raj helped Avinash escape from the country. Avinash was also facing allegations that he, along with Raj, laundered money that was collected through commissions from liquor suppliers to safe havens in other countries.
