Did YSRCP Leader Bhaskar Reddy Get Arrested at Bengaluru Airport for the Liquor Scam?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy arrested in connection to a major liquor scam.
- The arrest took place at Bengaluru Airport.
- Allegations of coercion and abuse have surfaced against the SIT.
- Bhaskar Reddy denies involvement and claims victimization.
- The case highlights ongoing political corruption issues in Andhra Pradesh.
Amaravati, June 18 (NationPress) – The Andhra Pradesh Police have apprehended Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, the general secretary of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), in connection with a massive liquor scam involving several crores. He was detained at Kempe Gowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Tuesday night after immigration officials acted on a lookout notice issued by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the case. Reports indicate he was attempting to leave the country.
The immigration officials promptly alerted the Andhra Pradesh Police, leading to Bhaskar Reddy's arrest along with his associate Venkatesh Naidu in the early hours of Wednesday. Both individuals are currently being transported to Vijayawada, where they are expected to be presented before the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) court.
On Tuesday, the SIT informed the court that they have named six individuals, including Bhaskar Reddy, as defendants in this high-profile case.
Bhaskar Reddy, a former MLA representing Chandragiri, is designated as the 38th accused in this investigation. To date, the SIT has detained a total of 39 suspects related to this case.
He has vehemently denied any involvement in the liquor scam that allegedly occurred during the tenure of the YSRCP government.
Furthermore, Bhaskar Reddy has accused the SIT of physically assaulting a head constable, N. Madan Reddy, who served as his personal security officer for a decade, in an effort to extract a false confession regarding his alleged participation in the scam.
The head constable has lodged complaints with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and the Director General of Police regarding the alleged abusive conduct of the SIT officials.
In a related development, Bhaskar Reddy’s son, Chevireddy Mohith Reddy, has criticized the coalition government led by the TDP for conspiring to falsely implicate his father in the so-called liquor scam.
He claimed that SIT officials were resorting to coercive tactics and police intimidation to extract misleading statements from Bhaskar Reddy's former gunmen.
Mohith Reddy disclosed that SIT officers had summoned former gunmen, including Giri and Madan Reddy, and subjected them to physical abuse when they refused to provide fabricated testimonies. He stated that Madan Reddy was beaten severely enough to require hospitalization and is currently receiving treatment.
He questioned whether refusing to fabricate evidence against Bhaskar Reddy constitutes a crime and condemned the brutal treatment meted out by the SIT. Mohith Reddy also mentioned that Madan Reddy has filed a petition in the High Court seeking protection from further harassment, highlighting the misuse of law enforcement.