The Supreme Court has granted bail to Muppidi Avinash Reddy, a key accused in the alleged ₹3,200–crore Andhra Pradesh liquor scam, after he had been in custody since surrendering before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Vijayawada. The development marks a shift in the apex court’s stance, which had earlier rejected his anticipatory bail and directed him to surrender and cooperate with the investigation, but stopped short of granting him regular bail in the first round of hearings.

Avinash Reddy, identified in the case as accused number seven, is alleged to have been a central figure in the liquor syndicate that operated during the YSRCP regime, controlling the flow of licences and “orders for supply” (OFS) to new brands in exchange for kickbacks and commissions worth hundreds of crores. The SIT has described him as the chief strategist and financial controller of the network, closely coordinating with prime accused Raj Kesireddy, and has linked the duo to money‑laundering and systematic sidelining of established liquor brands.

Initially, the Supreme Court declined to grant him pre‑arrest and regular bail, citing the gravity of the scam and the fact that the charge sheet had already been filed, while permitting him to apply for bail before the trial court after surrendering. After his surrender and remand in judicial custody, Avinash Reddy’s lawyers have now succeeded in convincing the apex court to grant him bail, likely on conditions such as furnishing surety, restricted movement, and adherence to investigative requirements.

Also Read: Tata Steel’s Scrap-Based EAF Plant Inaugurated in Ludhiana by CM Bhagwant Mann

The ₹3,200‑crore liquor scam centres on allegations that the state’s liquor‑policy framework was manipulated to benefit a select group of suppliers and intermediaries, with officials and political figures accused of receiving a share of the illicit profits. The granting of bail to such a high‑profile accused is expected to influence the political and legal narrative around the case, even as the SIT continues to probe financial trails and the role of other functionaries connected to the Andhra Pradesh excise system.

Also Read: #JUSTIN: 14 Accused of Roza Iftar Boat Party in Varanasi Sent to Judicial Remand