HC defers hearing on sand scam case to Nov 22

The Andhra Pradesh High Court, on Wednesday, deferred the hearing in the sand scam case to November 22. TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu had filed a petition seeking anticipatory bail after the AP Criminal Investigation Department (APCID) made him the second accused in the case.
The CID had filed a case against Naidu after receiving a complaint from Mines and Geology Department Director VG Venkat Reddy, claiming that the State exchequer suffered a loss of Rs 1,300 crore as a result of the implementation of free sand policy during the previous TDP government. It is alleged that Green Tribunal regulations were violated and Cabinet approval was not sought while implementing the free sand policy.
In his anticipatory bail petition, Naidu alleged that the case was filed against him with a mala fide intention and to keep him away from political activities. After hearing the arguments, the court directed the State government to file a counter by November 20 and posted the matter for hearing to November 22.
It is alleged that the free sand policy was implemented without following the due procedure and Naidu and his Cabinet colleagues drew benefits out of the free land policy. The CID named former minister Peethala Sujatha as the first accused, and Naidu, Chintamaneni Prabhakar and Devineni Uma as second, third, and fourth accused, respectively.
Naidu was released on bail for four weeks on health grounds.