The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday postponed the hearing of a public interest litigation that seeks to shift several CID cases involving Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu to the Central Bureau of Investigation, setting the next date for November 10.
The petition, filed by Kotti Balagangadhar Tilak in 2024 after the state saw a change of government, argues that the new administration could influence ongoing investigations and lead to premature closures.
Among the matters challenged are alleged irregularities in the transfer of assigned lands belonging to SC/ST beneficiaries, a disputed optical‑fibre network tender, the establishment of skill‑development centres, land acquisition for the Inner Ring Road, controversial excise‑policy decisions, and the formulation of the free‑sand policy.
An interlocutory plea also asks the Vijayawada Anti‑Corruption Bureau Court to prevent the return of seized documents and electronic devices to the persons concerned. Senior Counsel Ranjith, representing the petitioner, highlighted that the complainants are government officials who have not contested the closure reports since Naidu assumed office.
According to a case‑status chart submitted to the bench, closure reports have been filed and accepted, while applications for copies of those reports or challenges to the closures remain pending. The chart further notes a protest petition in an assigned‑land case, alleging pressure from CID‑SIT officers to obtain a no‑objection certificate for closure.
Ranjith maintained that the High Court, as a constitutional body, can order an inquiry or direct a transfer to the CBI when circumstances warrant independent scrutiny, even after a case has been closed.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for the state government and the CID, countered that the Special Investigation Team had already submitted final reports to the Vijayawada ACB Court, which found insufficient evidence to proceed and ordered case closures. He pointed out that only a few revision petitions have been filed since, leaving no substantive issue for the PIL to address, and urged dismissal of the petition as infructuous.
With arguments from both sides heard, the bench headed by Chief Justice Lisa Gill adjourned the matter to November 10 for further consideration.
Image: Wikipedia — N. Chandrababu Naidu
📰 Source: Mangalorean News