Andhra Pradesh BJP chief demands Jagan’s arrest in liquor scam

BJP State president P. V. N. Madhav has demanded the arrest of former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, alleging that he masterminded the liquor scam by centralising the purchase, supply and sale of liquor through the AP State Beverages Corporation Limited and by appointing officials close to him in the Excise Department to run the system according to his directions.

Referring to the 305-page chargesheet filed by the SIT, Mr. Madhav said it stated that Mr. Jagan had played a key role in the ₹3,500 crore scam.

In a press release issued on Monday, he said the large-scale irregularities in the implementation of the liquor policy came to light during the party’s Janata Varadhi programme, which brought out detailed complaints about alleged manipulation of the entire supply chain from manufacturing to retail sales for illegal gains.

He further alleged that digital transactions were deliberately disallowed at liquor outlets as part of a conspiracy to divert black money, and that certain distilleries were taken over to promote substandard brands.

Mr. Madhav claimed that the involvement of Dhanunjay Reddy, Krishna Mohan Reddy and Balaji Govindappa was established through call data records, Google Takeout data and other documentary evidence. He added that cases had been registered against 48 persons, 16 of whom were arrested, and that properties worth ₹62.86 crore had been seized.

Demanding transparency, Mr. Madhav called for the release of a White Paper detailing liquor sales, turnover, tax collections and agreements with distilleries, stating that full disclosure was necessary to fix accountability on those responsible for allegedly plundering public money.