AP govt plans to arrest YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in liquor scam?

The Andhra Pradesh government is reportedly preparing to arrest former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy in connection with the alleged liquor scam that unfolded during his YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) regime from 2019 to 2024.

The development follows explosive revelations by Raj Kasireddy, Jagan’s former IT advisor and the prime accused in the case, who reportedly confessed to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that he acted under Jagan’s direct instructions to orchestrate the scam.

Kasireddy, arrested on April 21 at Hyderabad’s Shamshabad Airport, admitted during intense SIT interrogations that Jagan personally tasked him with designing a liquor policy to generate substantial funds for both the state and the YSRCP.

A remand report submitted to a Vijayawada court alleges that Kasireddy claimed Jagan “endorsed” a policy to secure monthly kickbacks of Rs 50-60 crore by favoring select liquor brands, sidelining popular ones, and manipulating supply orders through the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited (APSBCL).

Forced statement or real!

The report, however, notes that Kasireddy refused to sign his confessional statement, raising questions about its legal weight.

The SIT, formed in February 2025 to probe the scam, has identified Kasireddy as Accused No. 1 (A-1) and alleges he controlled a sophisticated network involving senior YSRCP leaders, including former Rajya Sabha MP V Vijayasai Reddy, MP P Mithun Reddy, and APSBCL officials like Vasudeva Reddy. The scam reportedly involved laundering kickbacks through hawala networks and shell companies, causing a Rs 200 crore loss to the state exchequer.

Revenge for Chandrababu’s arrest?

The Andhra Pradesh High Court’s recent rejection of anticipatory bail pleas by Jagan’s former secretary K Dhanunjay Reddy and others has fueled speculation that Jagan’s arrest is imminent.

During YS Jagan’s regime, Chandrababu Naidu was arrested in a scam. He was put in jail for nearly two months. Hence, the TDP government wants to take revenge on Jagan by arresting him in liquor case.