VIJAYAWADA: On January 8, 2026, the Supreme Court overturned the Andhra Pradesh High Court’s order that had nullified 13 First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). These FIRs were registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, against public servants suspected of corruption. The apex court instructed the accused officers to cooperate fully for a fast investigation. It also directed the ACB to submit final reports within six months but barred any coercive actions against the accused. Importantly, the Supreme Court ordered the High Court to avoid entertaining any future challenges to these FIRs or ongoing investigations. Background: After the 2014 state bifurcation, ACB’s Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU) operated from Hyderabad until 2016, then shifted to Vijayawada. On August 14, 2022, the state government officially notified the Joint Director of CIU, ACB as the police station with state-wide jurisdiction. Before this notification, CIU had filed cases against public servants, including Dayam Peda Ranga Rao, ex-Motor Vehicle Inspector in Srikakulam, over disproportionate wealth issues. Rao and others challenged the FIRs in the High Court, arguing they were filed before August 14, 2022. The High Court quashed the 13 FIRs on technical grounds. The ACB appealed to the Supreme Court through a Special Leave Petition, represented by senior counsel Siddarth Luthra and Advocate-on-record G. Pramodh Kumar. On Thursday, the Supreme Court allowed the petition, reinstating the FIRs and setting aside the High Court’s decision, signaling a firm stance against corruption and a push for speedy justice.