The Supreme Court today declined to interfere with the Andhra Pradesh High Court order quashing a criminal case against Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Minister P. Narayana in connection with alleged irregularities in the land pooling scheme for the development of Amaravati.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said it was not inclined to interfere with the High Court order. The bench clarified that its decision in the matter would have no bearing on other cases, which should be decided on their own merits.
The Chief Justice observed that the criminal proceedings in the case were initiated at the instance of a political rival and noted that no farmer had come forward with a complaint. The bench remarked that political battles should not be fought in courts and disposed of the petition challenging the July 15 order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court at Amaravati. The FIR in the case was registered on March 12, 2021, under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, following a complaint by then MLA Alla Rama Krishna Reddy.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court had earlier stayed further proceedings in the case after petitions were filed by Mr. Naidu and Mr. Narayana seeking quashing of the proceedings.
