Hyderabad: Telangana high court on Friday dismissed a batch of appeals filed by Enforcement Directorate challenging an order of the Appellate Tribunal under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.The tribunal had directed the release of properties attached in connection with the alleged Vanpic quid pro quo case involving Andhra Pradesh former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy and industrialist Nimmagadda Prasad.A division bench comprising Justices P Sam Koshy and Suddala Chalapathi Rao upheld the tribunal’s July 2019 order, observing that no additional material or valid grounds had been presented to warrant interference.The court categorically held that it found no reason to disturb the tribunal’s conclusions. The bench also noted that the tribunal’s reasoning adequately addressed the issues raised and did not call for appellate intervention. The appeals were filed by the ED against several companies and individuals, including Jagan and Prasad.According to the ED, Prasad allegedly received undue benefits in the Vanpic project and, in return, invested ₹854.50 crore in companies linked to Jagan as quid pro quo. On this basis, the ED had attached multiple properties and initiated proceedings under the PMLA.The tribunal, however, examined the chronology of events and concluded that the investments in Jagan-linked companies were made prior to the conception of the Vanpic project. It held that the investments could not therefore be treated as bribes or illegal gratification tied to the project and accordingly directed the release of the attached assets.Challenging these findings, the ED approached the high court seeking to set aside the tribunal’s order. The matter was reserved for judgment in Dec 2025.
