The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday raided five states in connection with the alleged liquor scam of Rs 3,500 crore in Andhra Pradesh, allegedly during the previous YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) government. Officials said that under the Money Laundering Prevention Act (PMLA), raids were conducted at about 20 places in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Delhi-NCR region. The investigation focuses on those institutions and individuals who are accused of bribing through fake and exaggerated bills. Covered complexes included the complexes associated with Entry Institute of Medical Sciences, Sri Jewelers Exims, NR Industry LLP, The India Fruits Private Limited (Chennai), Venkateswara Packaging, Suvarna Durga Bottle, Rao Saheb Buruga Mahadev Jewelers, Usodayan Enterprises and Mohan Lal Jewelers (Chennai).
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Taking cognizance of the FIR of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Andhra Pradesh Police, the ED registered a case of money treatment. The police have already filed three chargesheets and have arrested YSRCP Lok Sabha MP PV Midhun Reddy. According to the chargesheets, under the 2019 liquor policy, a bribe of about Rs 50-60 crore per month was allegedly taken after bringing government shops under Andhra Pradesh Drinks Corporation Limited (APSBCL). This policy was finalized in a meeting chaired by the then Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, although he has not been made an accused.
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Police allege that money rigging was done through low-profile staff and office staff, some of whom received it as salary and then transferred it to others. Former Special Chief Secretary of Excise Department Rajat Bhargava allegedly warned the Chief Minister’s Office about these irregularities, but he was ignored. The YSRCP has dismissed the allegations as baseless.