SC Grants Relief to MP Mithun Reddy in Liquor Case

The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted a big relief to YSR Congress Party MP from Rajampet parliamentary constituency Peddireddy Mithun Reddy in connection with the liquor scam that allegedly took place during the Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy regime.

The Supreme Court set aside the earlier order of the Andhra Pradesh high court, which had rejected his anticipatory bail plea.

The Supreme Court directed the high court to conduct a fresh hearing on Mithun Reddy's anticipatory bail petition within four weeks. 

Until then, the apex court has clearly instructed that Mithun Reddy should not be arrested.

The counsel for the state government, too, gave an assurance to the Supreme Court that the police had no intention of arresting the MP, at least for now.

The Supreme Court observed that the high court had failed to properly examine the evidence presented in the case during its earlier hearing.

It noted that the high court must re-evaluate the investigation details collected so far, including the material gathered by the Investigating Officer.

The court pointed out that there was no credible information available linking the petitioner directly to the alleged crime at this stage. It also emphasized that arrests must be based on reasonable and justified grounds.

The bench further remarked that mechanical arrests — where the police arrest someone immediately after registering a case without proper assessment — are not acceptable.

It stated that the idea of arresting someone just because a case has been filed is flawed.

The Supreme Court underlined that the reputation and dignity of a sitting Member of Parliament should also be taken into consideration in such cases.

It directed the High Court to review the petition again in a fair and reasoned manner and submit the appropriate affidavit.