Andhra liquor scam: SIT serves notice to former YSRCP MP Vijayasai Reddy

IANS April 15, 2025 211 views

The Special Investigation Team has escalated its probe into the Andhra Pradesh liquor scam by serving a notice to former YSRCP MP Vijayasai Reddy. The investigation alleges a massive corruption network involving political leaders and liquor manufacturers during the YSRCP regime. Estimates suggest the scam could have cost the state exchequer around Rs 4,000 crore. The developments come after Vijayasai Reddy's resignation from the party and attempts to distance himself from the allegations.

"The SIT has traced the money trail involving political leaders" - Investigating Sources
Amaravati, April 15: The Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the alleged liquor scam in Andhra Pradesh during the YSR Congress Party regime, has served notice to former MP V. Vijayasai Reddy, directing him to appear before it.

Key Points

1

SIT investigates massive liquor scam during YSRCP regime

2

Vijayasai Reddy asked to appear on April 18

3

Alleged Rs 4,000 crore irregularities uncovered

4

Multiple political leaders under scanner

The former MP has been asked to appear before the SIT at its office in Vijayawada on April 18.

Vijayasai Reddy resigned from the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) and also quit as an MP in January.

The TDP-led NDA government constituted the SIT in November last year to investigate the allegations of irregularities and corruption in Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited (APSBCL) under the YSRCP tenure.

Vijayasai Reddy last month distanced himself from the scam and alleged that Kasireddy Rajasekhar Reddy, the IT advisor to then Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, was behind the liquor scam.

The SIT on Monday conducted searches in the house and other properties of Rajashekar Reddy in Hyderabad.

Multiple teams conducted searches on the properties of Rajashekar Reddy, located at various places in and around Hyderabad.

The SIT has already served notices to Rajasekhar Reddy, directing him to appear before it. He, however, failed to appear.

The TDP leaders alleged that some YSRCP leaders had links with the liquor manufacturers, floated many local brands, conducted cash payments and made illegal money.

The SIT reportedly identified the involvement of some political leaders, private persons and others in the scam. Having recorded statements from liquor manufacturers, it has allegedly established the existence of a scam estimated at Rs 4,000 crore.

The investigating officers reportedly traced the money trail of kickbacks involving a sitting Lok Sabha member and a former Rajya Sabha member from the YSRCP.

Last month, TDP MP Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayulu urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to investigate the liquor scam in Andhra Pradesh, claiming that it is larger than the Delhi liquor scandal.

He alleged that the scam resulted in a loss of Rs 18,860 crore to the state exchequer from 2019 to 2024 and requested Amit Shah to order a probe by the Enforcement Directorate and other central agencies.

Devarayulu also stated in the Lok Sabha that the YSRCP misled people by initially promising prohibition but later facilitated a monopolised liquor industry under their control.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
Finally some action being taken! This scam has been going on for too long. Hope the SIT gets to the bottom of it and recovers the public money. 🕵️‍♂️
P
Priya M.
Interesting how Vijayasai Reddy resigned right before all this came out. The timing seems too convenient to be coincidence...
S
Suresh V.
While I support investigating corruption, I hope this isn't just political vendetta by the new government. The SIT should remain impartial and focus on facts, not politics.
A
Ananya R.
Rs 18,860 crore loss?! That's insane money! Imagine what could have been done for education and healthcare with those funds. Politicians need to be held accountable for this.
K
Karthik N.
The promise of prohibition and then running a liquor scam is peak hypocrisy. Shows how little respect some leaders have for voters' intelligence.
M
Meena S.
I appreciate the journalist for covering this complex story clearly. The money trail details are especially revealing. More investigative reporting like this please!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Your email won't be published

Tags:
Andhra Pradesh Liquor Scam Vijayasai Reddy YS Jagan Mohan Reddy SIT Investigation YSRCP Corruption
You May Like!