Daijiworld Media Network - Hyderabad
Hyderabad, Apr 21: Raj Kasireddy, the central figure in the alleged multi-crore liquor scam that transpired during the YSR Congress Party's administration, was apprehended by the Andhra Pradesh Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday.
SIT officials took Kasireddy into custody at Hyderabad's international airport immediately upon his arrival from Goa. Despite his prior announcement, made via an audio release earlier in the day, that he would appear before the SIT on Tuesday, authorities insisted he accompany them. He is reportedly being transported to Vijayawada for interrogation.
Kasireddy, who previously served as the IT advisor to former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, had sought anticipatory bail, but the Andhra Pradesh High Court provided no immediate relief and postponed the hearing for a week. This detention follows Kasireddy's repeated failure to respond to four previous SIT summons. The SIT had also issued a lookout notice to prevent his potential escape from the country.
Investigators suspect Kasireddy played a pivotal role in the illicit collection of approximately Rs 3,000 crore over a five-year period. Last week, the SIT conducted searches on Kasireddy's properties in Hyderabad. His father, Upender Reddy, also appeared before the SIT for two days of questioning.
The TDP-led NDA government established the SIT in November of the preceding year to investigate allegations of widespread irregularities and corruption within the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited (APSBCL) during the YSRCP's tenure. TDP leaders have alleged a nexus between certain YSRCP figures and liquor manufacturers, involving the creation of numerous local brands, cash transactions, and the generation of illegal funds.
The SIT has reportedly identified the involvement of several individuals, including political figures and private citizens, in the alleged scam.
Investigators have also reportedly traced the flow of kickbacks, implicating a current Lok Sabha member and a former Rajya Sabha member from the YSRCP.
Former MP V. Vijayasai Reddy, who recently resigned from both the YSRCP and his parliamentary seat in January, appeared before the SIT as a witness on April 18. He informed the media that the SIT questioned him about a couple of meetings and identified Kasireddy as the alleged mastermind, claiming ignorance about who ultimately received the collected funds.
Last month, TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayulu urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to launch an investigation into the Andhra Pradesh liquor scam, asserting that its scale surpasses that of the Delhi liquor scandal. He alleged that the scam resulted in an estimated loss of Rs 18,860 crore to the state exchequer between 2019 and 2024 and requested probes by the Enforcement Directorate and other central agencies.