PNS|Vijayawada
The Supreme Court has granted significant relief to YSR Congress Party MP P.V. Mithun Reddy in connection with the Andhra Pradesh liquor policy case, setting aside the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s earlier order rejecting his anticipatory bail plea.
The apex court has directed the High Court to conduct a fresh hearing on Mithun Reddy’s anticipatory bail petition within four weeks. In the meantime, it has made it clear that the MP shall not be arrested.
The Supreme Court observed that the High Court had failed to properly evaluate the evidence submitted during the earlier proceedings. It emphasised that the High Court must reassess the details of the investigation conducted so far, including the materials collected by the Investigating Officer.
The bench noted that, at this stage, there was no credible information directly linking the petitioner to the alleged offence. It further reiterated that arrests must be founded on reasonable and justifiable grounds.
Criticising the practice of routine arrests, the court stated that mechanically arresting individuals upon registration of a case, without due assessment, is unacceptable. It asserted that the mere filing of a case does not justify arrest.
The court also underscored that the reputation and dignity of a sitting Member of Parliament should be duly considered in such matters. It directed the High Court to review the anticipatory bail petition afresh in a fair and reasoned manner and to submit the appropriate affidavit.
