Manoj Kumar Mutta v. State of Andhra Pradesh 2026 INSC 215 - Anticipatory Bail - Andhra Pradesh Excise Act
Supreme Court grants anticipatory bail to man accused of offences under Andhra Pradesh Excise Act
Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968 - Anticipatory Bail -While granting anticipatory bail to an accused, SC observed: we are inclined to release the appellant on anticipatory bail for the reason that the appellant was not initially named in the FIR and no raid was ever conducted at his place of business. (Para 9)
Case Info
Case Information
Case name: Manoj Kumar Mutta v. The State of Andhra PradeshNeutral citation: 2026 INSC 215
Court: Supreme Court of India, Criminal Appellate JurisdictionCoram: Justice Prashant Kumar Mishra and Justice N.V. AnjariaJudgment date: March 10, 2026Case number: Criminal Appeal No. 1263 of 2026 (arising out of SLP (Crl.) No. 20419 of 2025)
Statutes / Laws Referred
The judgment refers to offences under the Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968, specifically:
- Section 34(a) read with Sections 34(1)(i), 34(1)(ii)
- Section 34(e) read with Section 50B(b)
- Section 34(f) read with Section 34(2)
- Section 34(h) read with Section 34(2)
- Section 36(1)(b) & (c) read with Section 36(1)(i)
- Section 37(b) read with Section 37(i) and Section 50 read with Section 50B(b)
Brief Summary (Three Sentences)
The case concerns an appeal against the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s refusal to grant anticipatory bail to Manoj Kumar Mutta, who was later implicated in an excise case involving manufacture and supply of spurious liquor under various provisions of the Andhra Pradesh Excise Act, 1968. The Supreme Court noted that the appellant was not originally named in the FIR, no raid took place at his premises, he had already faced two similar cases where he was granted bail, and he had duly cooperated with the investigation under interim protection from the Court. Considering these circumstances and the absence of any allegation of misuse of liberty, the Court allowed the appeal and made the interim protection absolute by directing that he be released on anticipatory bail in the event of arrest, subject to conditions of cooperation and non‑tampering with witnesses.
