Andhra Pradesh Liquor Scam: Unveiling a 'Scientific' Corruption Ecosystem

In a scathing critique, Congress leader Manickam Tagore has accused former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy of orchestrating an elaborate Rs 3500 crore liquor scam, which he termed a 'scientific method of corruption.' According to Tagore, the scandal was not merely a financial fraud but an 'engineered ecosystem' involving a complex network of individuals and shell companies.

The current Andhra Pradesh NDA government, led by Chandrababu Naidu, formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) earlier in February to probe alleged irregularities within the State's liquor sector from 2019 to 2024. This initiative uncovered extensive corruption during the YSRCP regime. A detailed post by the Congress MP on social platform X elaborated on the scam's execution, calling it a strategic method for misappropriating public funds.

Tagore detailed the scam's recruitment of over 200 engineering graduates and unemployed youth, lured with incentives and job promises, who were unbeknownst facilitated illegal operations as cash handlers and front men. He alleged illicit funds were secured in Tadepalli and Amaravati, while key meetings were held internationally. Prominent figures, including Raj Kesireddy and former MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar, were named as integral to the scheme, allegedly protected by a political understanding between the BJP and Jagan Mohan Reddy.

(With inputs from agencies.)