The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) has attached properties worth Rs 441.63 crore in connection with the alleged Andhra Pradesh liquor scam. The action was taken under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.

According to officials, the attached properties belong to several accused persons and their associated entities. Among those named are Kessireddy Rajasekhara Reddy, Booneti Chanakya and Donthireddy Vasudeva Reddy. The seized assets include bank balances, fixed deposits, land parcels and other immovable properties.

The ED said the attachments are part of its ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities linked to the state’s liquor procurement system.

Scam Allegedly Took Place Between 2019 and 2024

Investigators claim that the alleged scam took place between 2019 and 2024, during the tenure of the YSR Congress Party government in Andhra Pradesh.

Kessireddy Rajasekhara Reddy has been identified as the primary accused in the case. According to the ED, he and several others allegedly manipulated the procurement process of the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited (APSBCL), the government entity responsible for liquor purchases and distribution in the state.

Other individuals named in the probe include Booneti Chanakya, Avinash Reddy, Kiran Kumar Reddy, Paila Dileep and Saif Ahmed.

Alleged Manipulation of Distilleries

The ED alleged that the accused individuals established or gained control over multiple distilleries, which were allegedly used as special purpose vehicles to generate illegal proceeds.

According to the agency, these distilleries were used to facilitate financial transactions linked to the alleged scam. The ED further claimed that the accused collected large sums of money from distilleries in the form of kickbacks.

Investigators said they have traced a money trail amounting to Rs 1,048.45 crore that was allegedly collected through such kickbacks.

Loss of Rs 3,500 Crore to State

Officials also alleged that manipulation of the liquor procurement process resulted in significant financial losses to the state government.

The ED estimates that the irregularities caused a loss of nearly Rs 3,500 crore to the Andhra Pradesh exchequer. The agency is continuing its investigation to identify additional assets and individuals linked to the alleged money laundering network.

Authorities said the latest attachments are part of efforts to recover proceeds of crime and prevent further misuse of illegally obtained funds.

Further investigation into the case is currently underway.

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