Is Jagan Mohan Reddy Involved in the Andhra Liquor Scam?

Vijayawada, July 20 (NationPress) The initial chargesheet presented by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) regarding the alleged Rs 3,500 crore liquor scandal during the YSRCP administration in Andhra Pradesh has identified Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, the former Chief Minister, as one of the individuals receiving kickbacks.

While Jagan's name is included in the 305-page chargesheet submitted to a local court on Saturday, he has not been designated as an accused party in this case.

The court has yet to acknowledge the chargesheet, which claims that from 2019 to 2024, an estimated Rs 50 to 60 crore was collected monthly from distilleries, funneled through a network of accomplices and shell companies.

According to a witness cited in the chargesheet, the kickbacks were funneled through various accused individuals and ultimately transferred to the then Chief Minister.

So far, the SIT has named 48 individuals and companies as accused, with only 16 mentioned in the chargesheet. They have indicated that an additional chargesheet will be submitted in 20 days.

The chargesheet asserts that the liquor policy was crafted by the YSRCP government to exert complete control over the alcohol distribution process, enabling implicated officials to extract significant commissions. A substantial portion of these kickbacks was reportedly received in cash, gold, or bullion.

The SIT has claimed that the kickbacks began at 12 percent of the base price and were later escalated to 20 percent.

Raj Kesireddy, also known as Kesireddy Rajashekar Reddy, the advisor to the former Chief Minister, has been identified as the principal orchestrator and co-conspirator. He allegedly manipulated the excise policy, switched automated Order for Supply (OFS) systems to manual ones, and positioned loyal officials within the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited (APSBCL).

Additionally, it has been alleged that Rajasekhar Reddy diverted Rs 250-300 crore in cash to finance the YSRCP's election campaign, in collaboration with former MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy. The proceeds of this alleged crime were supposedly laundered through over 30 shell companies and used for purchasing land, gold, and luxury items in Dubai and Africa.

The accused reportedly denied OFS approvals to distilleries that resisted demands for bribes.

The SIT has informed the court that Rs 62 crore has been confiscated in connection with this case. They have also interviewed 268 witnesses.

The chargesheet was submitted just an hour before the apprehension of YSRCP MP P. V. Midhun Reddy, who was taken into custody after being questioned for nearly seven hours.

Midhun Reddy, serving as the YSRCP floor leader in the Lok Sabha, is accused of playing a pivotal role in the alleged scam.

The SIT has labeled Midhun Reddy as a core conspirator from the beginning to the execution of the scheme. Investigators allege that he assisted in designing the excise policy and coordinated kickbacks from distilleries.

The Crime Investigation Department (CID) initially investigated the case last year following a complaint from an official of the Excise Department. Subsequently, the TDP-led NDA government established the SIT, led by NTR, District Commissioner of Police, SV Rajashekhar Babu, to further investigate the matter.

Reports suggest that investigators uncovered a kickback scheme involving nearly Rs 3,500 crore siphoned off over five years.

On Sunday, Jagan Mohan Reddy vehemently condemned Midhun Reddy's arrest, labeling it a political conspiracy aimed at silencing those who support the populace.

The YSRCP chief accused the authorities of falsely implicating Midhun Reddy through forced confessions.

Jagan Mohan Reddy asserted that the purported liquor scam is merely a fabricated story, created for media sensationalism and to distract from significant issues. He claimed that the entire case is based on statements obtained under duress, threats, and third-degree torture, as well as through bribery and inducements.

“The fact that Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu himself is out on bail concerning a case related to liquor policy during 2014-19 is undeniable proof of his low tactics. He seeks to nullify his case regarding actions from 2014-19 while also justifying his policy for 2024-29, thereby criticizing the policy established by the YSRCP Government,” Jagan Mohan Reddy stated in a message shared on X.