The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Monday rejected the bail petition of former minister Mopidevi Venkataramana in the VANPIC land allotment case.
In his bail petition, Mopidevi contended that the investigation into the allegations against him was complete, and that a chargesheet has also been filed in the VANPIC case.
He also argued that more than 90 days have passed since his arrest, and that therefore, he should be released on bail.
However, the CBI opposed the bail petition, stating that the investigations were still on, and that the accused might tamper with the evidence or influence the witnesses.
Agreeing with the CBI's contentions, the court dismissed the bail petition.
This is the third time that Mopidevi's bail petition has been rejected by the court.
Mopidevi was arrested on May 24 under sections 120-B, read with 420, 409 and 427 (A) of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 13, 13 (1) and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, for his alleged role in the allotment of a large extent of land to the Vodarevu and Nizampatnam Ports and Industrial Corridor (VANPIC) project. He held the Infrastructure and Ports portfolio in Y S Rajasekhara Reddy's cabinet when the allotments were made.
The former minister has been lodged in Chanchalguda Central Prison since his arrest. (INN)