Andhra Liquor Scam Ed Arrests Raj Kesireddy After Raids
Great Andhra
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday arrested Kesireddy Rajasekhar Reddy alias Raj Kesireddy, the prime accused in the multi-thousand-crore liquor scam that allegedly took place during the
previous YSR Congress Party regime in Andhra Pradesh.
The arrest followed a fresh round of searches conducted across Hyderabad and adjoining areas on Thursday.
The ED is investigating alleged large-scale financial irregularities, money laundering and hawala transactions linked to the state’s liquor policy during the previous regime.
Raj Kesireddy had come out of jail only on April 7 this year after the state High Court granted him conditional bail in the liquor scam case.
Earlier in February, the Supreme Court had rejected his bail petition and asked the High Court to examine the merits of the case before taking a decision on bail.
According to reports, ED officials carried out simultaneous searches at around ten locations in Hyderabad from the early hours of Thursday.
The raids covered properties linked to Raj Kesireddy, as well as premises associated with former Andhra Pradesh Beverages Corporation Managing Director Vasudeva Reddy and his relative Narasimha Reddy.
Sources said the agency has been probing allegations that thousands of crores of rupees changed hands through illegal commissions and kickbacks in the liquor business.
Investigators have reportedly uncovered evidence suggesting that funds were diverted through hawala channels and layered through multiple financial transactions to conceal their origin.
The latest searches were conducted at residences and offices located in Hyderabad, Narsingi and Manchirevula.
Multiple ED teams reportedly participated in the operation, focusing on financial records, digital evidence and transaction trails.
The agency had earlier conducted searches at the residences and offices of several individuals linked to the case, including Raj Kesireddy, former MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, retired IAS officer Dhanunjaya Reddy, auditor Balaji Govindappa and Krishna Mohan Reddy, who served as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to former chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy.
During those searches, officials reportedly seized a large number of documents and records.
Based on material collected during previous raids and statements recorded from accused persons, ED investigators are said to have identified extensive financial transactions warranting further scrutiny.
The agency is also examining the alleged planning and execution of the liquor scam, including identifying beneficiaries and tracing the flow of funds. Sources said the searches could continue until late evening.