The Enforcement Directorate has attached movable and immovable properties worth ₹441.63 crore belonging to various accused in the ₹3,500 crore liquor case in Andhra Pradesh.
The attached properties belong to prime accused Kesireddy Rajasekhar Reddy, his family members and related persons, his aide Booneti Chanakya and his family members, and former AP State Beverages Corporation Ltd (APSBCL) managing director Donthireddy Vasudeva Reddy and others.
The ED release said the agency had initiated investigation on the basis of an FIR registered by Crime Investigation Department of the state police under sections 120-B, 409 & 420 of Indian Penal Code for causing a loss to the government exchequer to the tune of ₹3,500 crore.
The ED investigation revealed that the previous government had monopolized retail liquor outlets through government retail outlets operated by APSBCL.
The agency said the manual OFS regime was misused to discriminate against established liquor brands, which were deliberately marginalized or removed from the market.
The investigation further revealed that distilleries were coerced into paying illegal kickbacks ranging from 15% to 20% of the basic price per case as a precondition for receiving OFS approvals.
The ED investigation revealed that Kesireddy Rajasekhara Reddy, along with other members of the liquor syndicate, orchestrated a multi-crore scam in liquor procurement and distribution system in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
The proceeds of the crime generated from this scam were laundered and distributed among the members of the syndicate for personal enrichment.
