The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the massive liquor scam in Andhra Pradesh has made explosive revelations, alleging that nearly Rs 2,970 crore — or 90% of the total Rs 3,300 crore bribe money — was directly routed to the operation’s key mastermind, referred to in the report as “Big Boss”.
It is former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy who has been identified as the “Big Boss” in the SIT’s findings.
The SIT report reveals that the remaining 10% of the bribes in the Andhra Pradesh liquor scam was funnelled to cash couriers, political handlers and influential bureaucrats who played key roles in ensuring the smooth operation of the illegal liquor trade.
The investigation describes the cartel as a well-organised network, functioning like a well-oiled machine with meticulous top-down planning and strict compliance at the grassroots level.
At the heart of the scam is Raj Kesireddy, named as the central handler of bribe collections and commissions.
“He engineered a network of shell companies, benami firms and hawala routes to funnel illicit money, which was then invested in real estate in Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Dubai-based companies,” said an SIT official.
Two YSRCP Members of Parliament, known for their public support of Reddy, allegedly received Rs 5 crore per month for their role in crafting the controversial liquor policy and helping determine bribe amounts.
One of the MPs, still in office, reportedly owned a distillery and marketed liquor under his private brand, purchasing stock in bulk from the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited (APSBCL).
The SIT report also names senior APSBCL officials as collaborators in the cartel. “Two top officials were paid Rs 50 lakh and Rs 20 lakh per month, respectively, for ensuring that only bribe-paying liquor firms received government supply orders. Another senior bureaucrat, despite being aware of the scam’s magnitude, remained silent in exchange for cash incentives ranging from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 1 crore per transaction,” said the official.
The report further uncovers the involvement of a close-knit group of aides who are said to have managed the large-scale cash transactions and the logistics of the bribery network.
The scam, valued at over Rs 3,300 crore, is now being seen as one of the largest liquor rackets in the state’s history. The SIT claims to have collected conclusive evidence, including transaction records, shell company details and property documents tied to benami owners, to back its findings.
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