AP HC Stays Probe Into Amaravati Land Scam; Gags Media & Stops Social Media Posts

Andhra Pradesh High Court has issued an injunction restraining any media reporting as to the FIR registered by the Anti-Corruption Bureau alleging corruption and illegal land transactions in relation to the shift of the capital to Amaravti following the bifurcation of the erstwhile state of Andhra Pradesh in 2014.

After staying further proceedings on the FIR, which names several prominent individuals, Chief Justice J K Maheshwari ordered :

"It is further directed that the news in regard to registration of FIR or in the context of the said FIR shall not be made public in any electronic, print or social media"

The Court further ordered that no social media posts should be made with respect to the FIR.

"The Secretary, Home Department, Govt. of A.P., the Director General of Police, A.P., shall inform through the Information and Public Relations Department, Govt. of A.P., to the effect that no electronic or print news item be published with respect to the FIR No.08/RCO-ACB-GNT/2020 of ACB, Guntur, dated 15.09.2020 and connected events until further orders of this Court. Social media posts shall also not be published and, in this regard, the Director General of Police, A.P., and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Govt. of India, shall take steps to inform the relevant social media platforms/houses in this regard", the order stated.