The Enforcement Directorate in Hyderabad has seized properties valued at Rs 441.63 crore linked to Kessireddy Rajasekhara Reddy and others in the Andhra Pradesh liquor scam case. These assets include bank balances, fixed deposits, and land parcels. The investigation, triggered by an FIR from the Andhra Pradesh CID, alleges a loss of Rs 4,000 crore to the state exchequer.
The probe uncovered a money trail of Rs 1,048.45 crore in kickbacks paid by distilleries in cash, gold, and other forms. The illicit gains were reportedly amassed through distillery operations and liquor transportation. The laundered proceeds were used for property purchases and personal enrichment by the syndicate members.
Before 2019, Andhra Pradesh regulated liquor trade digitally, but post-elections, a manual system replaced the transparent software. This change allegedly enabled officials to favor certain liquor brands in exchange for kickbacks. The syndicate also introduced similar-sounding brands with inflated prices to generate extra profits for kickbacks.
The ED accused key figures like Kessireddy Rajasekhara Reddy and Booneti Chanakya of orchestrating a multi-crore scam in liquor procurement. The alleged scam involved manipulating the procurement process, causing an estimated loss of Rs 3,500 crore to the state exchequer. Kickbacks amounting to around Rs 3,500 crore were reportedly collected by the accused.
