Andhra Pradesh High Court, led by Chief Justice Lisa Gill, adjourned the hearing of W.P. (PIL) No. 140 of 2024 to Tuesday, after the petition was filed by Kotti Balagangadhar Tilak following the 2024 change of government.
Tilak, a former lawyer turned activist, argues that the new administration may rush to close ongoing investigations, citing the closure of several cases as “mistakes of fact” while they remain pending.
The cases span a broad spectrum: alleged land transfers to SC and ST members, irregularities in an optical‑fibre network tender, the establishment of skill‑development centres, land acquisition for the Inner Ring Road, excise‑policy decisions, and a controversial free‑sand policy.
Senior Counsel Ranjith, appearing for Tilak, presented evidence that government officials have not challenged the closure reports, pointing to a protest petition filed by a complainant in an assigned‑land case after pressure from CID‑SIT officials. He also noted that the complainants are themselves government employees, which may have deterred them from filing protest petitions.
The bench, citing its constitutional mandate, stressed that it can order an inquiry or transfer cases to the CBI when circumstances warrant, even after an acquittal, and that the court remains free to examine whether an independent investigation is required.
The hearing will resume on Tuesday, with the court expected to decide whether the CBI should take over the investigations, a move that could set a precedent for future probes into political figures.