305-Page Chargesheet Alleges Monthly Kickbacks of ₹50–60 Crore During YSRCP Rule; Jagan Denies Charges, Calls It a “Manufactured Narrative”
Key Highlights:
- Chargesheet filed in Rs 3,500 crore liquor scam mentions ex-CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy as recipient of alleged kickbacks
- ₹50–60 crore per month collected during 2019–2024 YSRCP regime, claims SIT
- Charges include policy manipulation, extortion, use of shell firms, luxury investments abroad
- SIT arrests MP PV Midhun Reddy; ED also files PMLA case
- Jagan dismisses allegations, blames political vendetta by CM Chandrababu Naidu
Jagan Reddy Named as Alleged Kickback Recipient in AP Liquor Scam Chargesheet
A 305-page chargesheet filed by Andhra Pradesh Police in a local court on Saturday has named former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy as a beneficiary of alleged liquor scam kickbacks, though it stops short of listing him as an accused. The scam involves alleged illicit earnings of ₹3,500 crore, and the chargesheet details that ₹50–60 crore in kickbacks were collected monthly during the YSRCP regime (2019–2024).
The court is yet to take cognizance of the chargesheet.
How the Alleged Scam Unfolded: Police Version
According to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) report:
- Kesireddy Rajasekhar Reddy (A-1) collected the funds and passed them on through Vijay Sai Reddy (A-5), Mithun Reddy (A-4), and Balaji (A-33) to Jagan Mohan Reddy.
- The scam allegedly included policy manipulation, replacement of automated OFS with manual systems, and placement of loyalists in the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited (APSBCL).
- The collected kickbacks were used to fund elections, launder money through shell companies, and acquire gold, land, and luxury assets in Dubai and Africa.
“Rajasekhar Reddy was the mastermind behind this syndicate and executed policy changes to monopolize liquor supply for personal gains,” the chargesheet claimed.
ED Steps In: Money Laundering Angle Also Probed
In May, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and began probing financial irregularities in the alleged scam.
The ED cited meetings such as one held at Hotel Park Hyatt in Hyderabad in 2019, where distillery owners were allegedly intimidated into cooperating with the syndicate.
- Kickbacks were initially set at 12% of the base price, later increased to 20%.
- Brands unwilling to comply were reportedly denied Order for Supply (OFS) approvals, amounting to extortion, as per the chargesheet.
Arrests Made: MP PV Midhun Reddy Among Accused
On Saturday, YSRCP MP PV Midhun Reddy was arrested by the SIT after several hours of interrogation. Several other high-profile individuals, including former MLAs and senior party leaders, are under investigation or listed as accused.
Jagan Mohan Reddy Responds: “Fabricated Political Vendetta”
Reacting to the developments, YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy posted on X (formerly Twitter), calling the entire liquor scam narrative “manufactured for media theatrics.”
“This is a diversionary tactic to cover real issues. The case is built on coercion, third-degree torture, and inducements,” he claimed.
He further alleged that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, himself on bail in a liquor policy case from 2014–19, is orchestrating the charges to divert attention from current policies and failures.
“By falsely accusing YSRCP leaders, the TDP coalition is reviving the same corrupt liquor practices we dismantled,” Jagan stated.
What’s Next: Court Action Pending
The court has not yet taken cognizance of the chargesheet, and further legal action is expected as ED and SIT continue investigations.
