Supreme Court Condemns Andhra Police Over 'Deliberate' Delays in YSRCP MLC Murder Probe
The Supreme Court of India delivered a scathing rebuke to the Andhra Pradesh police on Friday, finding serious fault with their investigation into the 2022 murder case involving YSRCP MLC Ananta Satya Udaya Bhaskar. The court explicitly stated that police officers "were hobnobbing with the accused" and had made "all efforts to offer default bail to him on a platter."
Bench Expresses Disappointment Over Unfinished Investigation
A three-judge bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul Pancholi expressed profound disappointment that the investigation into this high-profile case has not been completed to date. The bench was hearing an appeal filed by Bhaskar in 2022 seeking bail, after the Supreme Court had granted him interim bail in December 2022, allowing him to remain free since then.
The court pulled up the state police for their handling of the investigation, declaring there was "complete connivance" by the investigating officers with the accused. Chief Justice Surya Kant observed that this was a clear case of "nexus between police and political power," adding, "We understand, they deliberately did not file the chargesheet."
Strict Timelines and Monitoring Directions Issued
To address the delays, the Supreme Court issued comprehensive directions with firm deadlines:
- Further investigation must be completed by March 31
- Framing of charges must be decided by April 18
- Prosecution evidence must be completed by August 31
- The entire trial must be concluded by November 30, 2026
The court requested the Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh High Court to assign the matter to a senior judicial officer who will handle it on a weekly basis. Additionally, the portfolio judge of the high court has been directed to monitor the trial's progress to ensure compliance with these timelines. The high court has also been instructed not to pass any interim orders that could stay the trial.
Background of the Case and Political Context
Ananta Satya Udaya Bhaskar stands accused of murdering his driver Veedhi Subramanyam, a Dalit youth, in May 2022. The victim's family informed the bench that the chargesheet was filed only on the 92nd day, apparently to ensure Bhaskar could benefit from default bail provisions, though the high court ultimately denied him this relief, leading to the Supreme Court appeal.
Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, representing the state of Andhra Pradesh, submitted that following the change of regime after the 2024 elections, the investigation has been taken more seriously. He suggested the probe was previously derailed, likely due to the accused's influence during the earlier administration when his political party held power.
The state's counsel acknowledged that there used to be connivance between the accused and police during the previous regime. Although a chargesheet was filed, it was returned as incomplete due to the absence of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report.
Chief Justice Surya Kant pointedly questioned the accountability of senior police officials, asking, "What authority the DGP has to continue if he can't control the superintendent of police or the IO?" This remark underscores the court's concern about systemic failures in police oversight and integrity.
