SC Bench Calls Chandrababu’s Lawyers “Counsels for All Fraudsters”

A lighthearted moment unfolded in the Supreme Court on Friday (October 10) as a bench made a humorous remark directed at senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Siddharth Luthra, calling them “counsels for all fraudsters of the country.”

The two-judge bench, led by Justice Vikram Nath, was hearing an anticipatory bail plea filed by YSRCP leader Chevireddy Mohith Reddy in connection with the alleged Andhra Pradesh liquor scam.

Representing the Andhra Pradesh government, senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi, Siddharth Luthra, and Siddharth Agarwal argued against granting bail to Mohith.

Amused by the line-up of high-profile lawyers, Justice Nath quipped, “Are you arguing against granting bail? You are counsels for all fraudsters of the country… all of you are fraudsters’ counsels in the biggest scams… and you’re opposing bail?”

The remark drew laughter across the courtroom.

Interestingly, both Rohatgi and Luthra have previously appeared for TDP chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in several high-profile cases, including the Skill Development Corporation scam, Amaravati land scam, Fibernet Project case, and the 2015 cash-for-votes scam.

After hearing the arguments, the Supreme Court granted anticipatory bail to Mohith Reddy and issued notices to the Andhra Pradesh government, adjourning the matter for four weeks.

Mohith Reddy and his father, former MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, have been named as accused A-39 and A-38 respectively in the liquor scam. Bhaskar Reddy was arrested on June 18 and remains in judicial custody at Vijayawada jail.

The Special Investigation Team (SIT), set up by the Chandrababu Naidu government, alleged that Mohith Reddy used official vehicles to transport large amounts of illicit liquor money.