New Delhi/Amaravati: In a major development, the Supreme Court has dismissed the anticipatory bail granted to senior IPS officer N. Sanjay, directing him to surrender within three weeks in connection with a corruption case filed by the Andhra Pradesh Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).
The apex court’s decision overturns the earlier order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which had granted conditional anticipatory bail to Sanjay in January 2025, citing his seniority, fixed residence, and health condition.
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Allegations Against N. Sanjay
N. Sanjay, who served as the Director General (DG) of the A.P. State Disaster Response & Fire Services and later as Additional DG of the Crime Investigation Department (CID), has been accused of manipulating tender processes during his tenure.
The ACB registered a case in 2023, alleging that he had:
Violated tender norms while awarding contracts for the AGNI–NOC (Governance & NOC Integration) web portal and mobile app.
- Facilitated supply of hardware to a private firm without proper procedures.
- Failed to adequately monitor the portal’s progress, causing delays and project inefficiencies.
- Procured equipment without inviting tenders, violating government procurement norms.
The alleged irregularities have reportedly caused financial loss and administrative disruption to the state’s disaster response and fire safety systems.
Supreme Court’s Observation
The Division Bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and S.V.N. Bhatti expressed reservations about the High Court’s reasoning, especially the timing and nature of the bail granted, given the seriousness of the allegations.
The Court ruled in favor of the State’s Special Leave Petition (SLP), which sought cancellation of bail, and directed Mr. Sanjay to surrender within three weeks.
The Bench noted that:
“Granting anticipatory bail at such a preliminary stage in a corruption case, where procedural violations and abuse of authority are alleged, may set a wrong precedent.”
Background of the Bail
In its January order, the High Court had considered:
- Sanjay’s seniority as an IPS officer,
- The absence of flight risk due to his fixed residence,
- His ongoing medical condition requiring health monitoring.
However, the Supreme Court opined that these factors alone could not justify anticipatory bail without proper investigation and examination of evidence.
What Lies Ahead
With the Supreme Court’s directive, N. Sanjay is now expected to surrender before authorities within the stipulated period. The case is likely to move forward with formal questioning, and possibly custodial interrogation, given the gravity of the charges.
The ruling also reaffirms the Supreme Court’s consistent stance on maintaining judicial caution in pre-emptive reliefs in corruption cases, especially involving high-ranking officials.
