Hyderabad: The Telangana high court has granted interim protection from arrest to former Andhra Pradesh minister and YSRCP senior leader Karumuri Venkata Nageswara Rao till June 29 in connection with the AP liquor scam currently being probed by the Directorate of Enforcement (ED).Justice K Sujana granted the interim relief and directed the ED to file a counter in the matter. The case was adjourned to June 29 for further hearing.During the hearing, the petitioner’s counsel requested the court to restrain the ED from arresting him until the main criminal petition is disposed of.Counsel G Ashok Reddy sought interim protection because he said the petitioner, aged 62, is suffering from various age-related health issues, including diabetes and hypertension.While the respondent’s counsel opposed the request, the court took the petitioner’s health condition into consideration.However, to ensure the ongoing investigation is not hindered, the court directed that the petitioner must continue to cooperate and appear before the investigating authorities as required.
