Andhra Liquor Rip-off: YSR Congress Celebration MP Despatched To Judicial Custody Until Aug 1

VIJAYAWADA: A metropolis courtroom on Sunday despatched YSR Congress Celebration (YSRCP) MP, P. V. Midhun Reddy, to judicial custody within the alleged liquor rip-off case. The Particular Investigation Workforce (SIT), which arrested the MP on Saturday night time, produced him earlier than the ACB courtroom decide, who remanded him to judicial custody until August 1.

Midhun Reddy, who’s the YSR Congress Celebration’s flooring chief in Lok Sabha, will probably be shifted to Rajahmundry Central Jail. Midhun Reddy, who’s a member of Lok Sabha from Rajampet constituency, is the accused quantity 4 within the case, registered final yr after the TDP-led NDA got here to energy within the state.

The SIT arrested Midhun Reddy on Saturday after questioning him for almost seven hours on the SIT workplace right here. His arrest got here a day after the Supreme Courtroom dismissed his anticipatory bail petition. Earlier, the Andhra Pradesh Excessive Courtroom had additionally dismissed his petition.

The MP allegedly performed a key position within the excise coverage and diverting kickbacks to shell firms. SIT reportedly discovered large-scale irregularities and fund misappropriation within the liquor coverage carried out throughout 2019-24.

Through the arguments earlier than the decide, senior lawyer Nagarjuna Reddy, who appeared on behalf of Midhun Reddy, opposed the SIT’s plea for his judicial remand.

He informed the courtroom that the Lok Sabha Speaker was knowledgeable about his arrest. The courtroom was additionally knowledgeable that he served because the MP for 3 phrases and likewise as a panel Speaker. He enjoys Y class safety.

The SIT counsel sought Midhun Reddy’s judicial remand, saying he performed a key position within the case. The courtroom was informed that there’s clear proof of the MP’s position within the cash path.

The SIT counsel defined the explanations for Midhun Reddy’s arrest. The courtroom was knowledgeable that the case has been registered beneath sections 409, 420 and 120 (B) learn with sections 34 and 37 and sections 7, 7A, 8, 13 (1) (B), and 13 (2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Midhun Reddy’s arrest got here hours after the SIT filed a preliminary chargesheet within the case. The SIT officers filed the 300-page chargesheet within the ACB courtroom together with forensic lab experiences.

The courtroom was knowledgeable that Rs 62 crore has been seized within the case up to now. The SIT additionally examined 268 witnesses within the case.

The Crime Investigation Division (CID) initially performed an investigation into the case final yr following a criticism by an official of the Excise Division. Later, the TDP-led NDA authorities constituted an SIT, headed by NTR District Commissioner of Police SV Rajashekhar Babu, to probe the case.

Investigators reportedly uncovered a kickback community involving almost Rs 3,500 crore siphoned off over 5 years.

There are allegations that the YSR Congress Celebration leaders inspired a brand new liquor coverage, floated new manufacturers, and obtained kickbacks from the distillery firms, inflicting large losses to the federal government.

The SIT has already arrested 11 accused within the case. These arrested within the case embrace Raj Kesireddy (alias Kesireddy Rajashekar Reddy), advisor to then chief minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Ok. Dhanunjaya Reddy, a retired IAS officer and former secretary to Jagan Mohan Reddy, Krishna Mohan Reddy, former Officer on Particular Responsibility (OSD), Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, former MLA.