The Supreme Court on Wednesday (November 26) granted interim protection to three accused in the alleged Andhra Pradesh liquor scam, sparing them from surrendering as directed by the Andhra Pradesh High Court while canceling their default bail.

Relief has been extended to retired IAS officer K. Dhanunjaya Reddy (former Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office), former OSD to ex-CM Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Krishna Mohan Reddy, and Bharati Cements’ Director, Balaji Govindappa. As per the High Court’s ruling, they were instructed to surrender before November 26 and apply for regular bail before the trial judge.

A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant along with Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notice on their special leave petitions challenging the High Court order, and meanwhile stayed the surrender requirement. The Court remarked that with nearly 200 witnesses implicated, the trial is bound to be prolonged.

“What is the necessity of keeping them behind bars?” CJI Surya Kant questioned the State, indicating the Court’s favor toward considering bail with stringent conditions to prevent possible interference with witnesses.

Senior Advocates C Aryama Sundaram, Siddharth Dave, and Mukul Rohatgi appeared for the petitioners, while Senior Advocate Siddharth Luthra represented the State.

Cases:
BALAJI GOVINDAPPA v. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH | SLP(Crl) No. 18853/2025
PELLAKURU KRISHNA MOHAN REDDY v. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH | SLP(Crl) No. 18836/2025
K DHANUNJAYA REDDY v. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH