Massive Liquor Scam Crackdown: ED Raids Across Five States

The Enforcement Directorate conducted searches across multiple states as part of a probe into a Rs 3,500 crore liquor scam linked to the YSRCP regime in Andhra Pradesh. Involvement of prominent politicians, including YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, is alleged, with kickbacks systematically laundered through low-profile individuals.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has initiated extensive searches across multiple states, including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Delhi-NCR, targeting locations linked to the alleged Rs 3,500 crore liquor scam in Andhra Pradesh. This investigation highlights alleged corruption during the previous YSRCP regime.

In a crackdown covering at least 20 locations, the ED probed entities and individuals accused of facilitating kickback payments through bogus invoices under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The probe involves institutions like Arete Institute of Medical Sciences and business entities implicated in this scandal.

YSRCP Lok Sabha MP PV Midhun Reddy was prominently mentioned in the police chargesheets, with allegations pointing to former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy as a recipient of kickbacks, although he has not been named as an accused in the complaint. The YSRCP has dismissed the allegations as baseless, calling the charges speculative.

(With inputs from agencies.)