VG Venkata Reddy, the former Director of the Mining Department accused of irregularities during the YSRCP regime, was granted bail on Friday and quietly released from jail on Saturday. His low-profile release, even without media coverage, has sparked discussions.
The ACB Central Investigation Unit (CIU) filed a case against Venkata Reddy on September 11, alleging the misappropriation of ₹160 crore from the Mines Department without external involvement. He was subsequently arrested in Hyderabad on September 26 and remanded by the Vijayawada ACB court. After spending 50 days in judicial custody, Reddy sought bail citing health reasons.
On Friday, the ACB court granted him bail with strict conditions. He was directed to submit a ₹50,000 surety bond, refrain from leaving the country without court permission, and provide both his current and previous addresses to the court. Additionally, he must appear before ACB CIU officials for questioning every Saturday.
Criticism has surfaced regarding the ACB’s handling of Reddy’s bail plea. Observers note that the ACB failed to present strong objections or counterarguments, leading to the court’s decision to grant bail.