HC quashes writ against AP CM

The AP High Court yesterday quashed a criminal complaint filed by a Congress functionary against the 18 accused, including chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu and two of his former cabinet colleagues, in the 'liquor purchase scam.'

Justice CY Somayajulu observed that the petitioners, Krishna Kumar Goud and a practising advocate, had failed to establish a direct nexus between the offense and the accused.

Earlier a city court had directed the ACB to investigate into the alleged excess payment to a tune of Rs 500 crore to certain distilleries during 1997-2000 while purchasing liquor by state-owned Beverages Corporation. The order, however, was stayed by the HC on December 15.

"The complaint was another example of the courtroom being used by political parties to vent their grievances," the judge commented.

He observed that even if the allegations were taken to be true, yet they did not constitute any offense and the accused could not be dragged before any investigative procedure.