Set back to AP Govt HC stays SIT probe into Amaravati land scam

Vijayawada: In a setback to the Andhra Pradesh government, the state High Court, on 16 September, stayed investigations by a special investigation team (SIT) to probe the alleged irregularities into projects started by the previous Telugu Desam Party government between 2014 and 2019, including the land acquisition in the capital city.

The state government had constituted a 10-member SIT headed by IPS officer K. Raghuram Reddy to investigate alleged irregularities during former Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu’s tenure, particularly the land scams. The SIT was tasked to investigate allegations of corruption in irrigation and other projects started by the previous government and insider trading in the Amaravati region.

TDP leaders Varla Ramaiah and Alapati Raja had filed petitions in the High Court stating that the YSRCP government intended to target TDP leaders by setting up the SIT and that it was bent on revenge.

The petitioners also stated that SIT is usually constituted to probe one or two issues and not everything that a previous government has done. The petitioners also objected to the SIT being given powers to file FIRs and charge-sheets citing that the SIT's duty is to submit its report after a comprehensive inquiry into the issue.

Hearing the petition, the High Court issued interim orders staying the investigation by the SIT.