Dismissal of Bail Petitions in the AP Liquor Case

Vijayawada, Oct 2025:  The Office of Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra hereby confirms that the Hon’ble Special Judge for SPE & ACB Cases, Vijayawada, has dismissed the regular bail petitions filed by seven accused in Crime No. 21 of 2024, of the ongoing investigation into large-scale liquor procurement irregularities in Andhra Pradesh.

 

In a series of detailed and reasoned orders, the Hon’ble Court has uniformly upheld the prosecution’s submissions as advanced by Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra, affirming the principles governing successive bail, the gravity of economic offences, and the prosecution’s continuing statutory right to investigate under law.

This office submits that the following established legal principles were correctly upheld:

 

●       The Nexus of Economic Offences: The nature of the alleged offences, which involve large-scale financial fraud and alleged misuse of public office, places them squarely within the category of Economic Offences. The settled jurisprudence of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India dictates that such crimes constitute a class apart, impacting the national economy and public morale, thus demanding a more stringent approach towards bail applications.

 

●       Evidence-Based Rejection of Bail: The Court acknowledged the comprehensive evidence presented by the prosecution, including forensic reports, communication records, financial trails, and corroborative witness statements, noting that such scientific and testimonial material prima facie establishes the gravity of the offences. This observation underscores that the Court found merit in the factual matrix presented by Mr Luthra, reinforcing the credibility and diligence of the prosecution’s case.

 

●       Medical Grounds Pleas Rejected: In cases where interim medical bail was sought, the Hon’ble Court, relying on prosecution assurances of escorted medical care, held that no life-threatening condition existed to warrant release. The orders reflect a balanced judicial approach, protecting both the rights of the accused and the integrity of the ongoing investigation, as urged by Mr Luthra.

 

These consistent judicial findings validate the prosecution’s stand led by Senior Advocate Sidharth Luthra, reaffirming that no accused has shown any material change in circumstance, and that continued custody is necessary in the interests of justice, investigation, and public trust.