In Brief
The State of Andhra Pradesh challenged a High Court interim order requiring re-deposit of amounts (approximately Rs. 489 crores less tax deductions) received from the sale of beer stocks that had been attached by the Income-tax department. The Supreme Court declined to decide the merits, noting that the underlying Writ Petitions were still pending before the High Court. Instead, the Court requested expeditious disposal of those petitions and clarified that all contentions remain open and uninfluenced by the interim order. Recovery proceedings were stayed pending final adjudication.
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