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Hans India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Venkatesh Naidu in spotlight as cash bundle videos go viral
Tirupati: Cherukuru Venkatesh Naidu, already known to the public as a key figure in the ongoing liquor scam probe, is once again in the spotlight after fresh videos and photographs surfaced on Sunday, revealing details of his luxurious lifestyle. Venkatesh, named as Accused No 34 (A-34) in the case, was earlier seen in a now-viral video counting currency bundles reportedly worth Rs 35 crore, suspected to be part of the liquor scam proceeds. The cash was seen stacked in large bundles, including Rs 2,000 denomination notes, and was discovered during the Special Investigation Team (SIT) inquiry. In the latest development, visuals have emerged showing Venkatesh Naidu travelling in a private jet, mingling with film actors, and moving around in high-end cars. One video shows him arriving at an airport in a luxury vehicle and walking straight onto the runway to board a private aircraft. Upon landing, he was seen getting into a car fitted with a red beacon, which is typically reserved for VIP protocol, hinting at the level of influence and access he enjoyed. The videos have since gone viral on social media, with the public reacting sharply, asking, 'Is this how they enjoyed the liquor money looted from the people?' Earlier, SIT had uncovered a video during the investigation showing Naidu managing a cash stash at a safe house, allegedly acting as the in-charge of the location where the scam money was stored. In the video, he was seen counting the bundles and preparing them for distribution. The latest leak of his videos and photos further illustrates the extravagant lifestyle funded through alleged illegal proceeds. Surprisingly, it was learnt that the video was found in Venkatesh's mobile phone itself. SIT sources confirmed that Venkatesh Naidu is a close aide of YSRCP senior leader and former Chandragiri MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy. The two are believed to share an inseparable political association. During the 2024 general elections, Chevireddy contested from the Ongole Lok Sabha constituency as YSRCP candidate, and Venkatesh Naidu filed a nomination as an independent from the same seat. Though his nomination was later rejected it was widely felt that he filed it as a dummy for Chevireddy. SIT has noted that Chevireddy remained in constant contact with Naidu throughout the process and was actively involved in directing the movement and delivery of scam-related funds. Investigators have concluded that Naidu played a crucial role in ensuring that the money was transported and handed over as per Chevireddy's instructions. Venkatesh was said to have born in Nandyal and educated in Hyderabad, while his background has drawn renewed attention. Despite his apparent access to vast sums of money, Naidu in his 2024 election affidavit declared an annual income of only Rs 4.95 lakh for the financial year 2022–23. He reported assets worth Rs 10.70 lakh, including bank balances and cash, and claimed he owned no immovable property. The sharp contrast between his declared financial status and the opulence seen in the videos has sparked widespread outrage online. The revelations have intensified public scrutiny of the liquor scam and its political connections, as well as raised further questions about how such levels of luxury and access were possible for someone with officially modest means. The SIT continues to examine the deeper network behind the scandal.
New Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
ACB Court remands former Andhra Pradesh MLA Chevireddy, realtor in liquor case
VIJAYAWADA: The ACB Court in Vijayawada on Wednesday remanded former Chandragiri MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy and realtor Cherukuru Venkatesh Naidu to 14 days of judicial custody in connection with the alleged multi-crore liquor scam. Special Investigation Team (SIT) officials arrested Chevireddy and Venkatesh Naidu at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Tuesday while they were attempting to board a flight to Colombo. Investigators brought the duo to the SIT office at the Vijayawada City Police Commissionerate, where they were questioned for nearly four hours regarding their alleged role in transporting unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 250 crore during the 2024 general elections. SIT officials listed Chevireddy as accused number 38, Venkatesh Naidu as accused number 34, and Chevireddy's son Mohit Reddy as accused number 39 in the FIR. SIT counsel argued before the ACB Court that Chevireddy had plans to flee the country and that officials intercepted him just in time. 'Chevireddy used his gunmen and close aides to move large sums of cash from Hyderabad and Vijayawada to constituencies in Prakasam and Chittoor districts. As the YSRCP was in power, he assured protection for safe cash transport and distribution,' stated the remand report. The report added that Mohit Reddy had provided a white Toyota Fortuner (Reg No AP 39 BV 3259) to transport the money, which was allegedly sourced from prime accused Kesireddy Rajashekar Reddy, alias Raj Kesireddy. The SIT linked the seizure of Rs 8 crore from a truck at Garikapadu checkpost in Jaggaiahpeta mandal on May 9, 2024 to Chevireddy's network. 'Kickbacks from liquor sales and distillery shares were diverted for illegal and undemocratic purposes,' it stated. The SIT corroborated statements from drivers and gunmen using call detail records, tower data, and device activity logs.
India Today
18-06-2025
- India Today
Jagan Reddy's close aide detained in Andhra liquor scam case, now in SIT custody
Former Chandragiri MLA, Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, a key accused in the alleged multi-crore Andhra Pradesh liquor scam case, will be produced before the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) court in Vijayawada today. He was detained in Bengaluru yesterday and is now in the custody of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing the who is known to be closely associated with former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, has been listed as Accused No 38 (A-38) in the case. The alleged scam pertains to the previous government's tenure, and so far, nine individuals have been arrested. The SIT has questioned over 200 people as part of the ongoing a constable named Madan wrote a letter to the Director General of Police (DGP), alleging that he was tortured by SIT officers to falsely implicate Chevireddy. Madan, who served as a gunman for Chevireddy for a decade, claimed that SIT personnel punched him on the face and back, and twisted his fingers in an attempt to coerce a false confession. In the letter, he alleged that the officers tried to force him to state that Rs 200–250 crore had been transported illegally in connection to the case. He also claimed that the torture led to his hospitalisation for six SIT previously arrested Kasireddy Rajashekar Reddy, the main suspect in the case, at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad, Telangana, on April 21. The SIT named several individuals in its investigation, including Kasireddy, who was called the 'kingpin of the scam'. Kasireddy served as the IT adviser to former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Supreme Court on May 23 declined to grant any relief to Kasireddy Rajasekhar Reddy, saying it found no merit in the appeal while hearing a petition filed against his arrest. IN THIS STORY#Andhra Pradesh
Hans India
07-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
SIT finds liquor scam links to 2024 MP candidates
Tirupati: The ongoing investigation into the sensational liquor scam in the State has taken a significant political turn, with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) reportedly uncovering fresh links involving candidates who contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. It was learnt that the SIT has found evidence suggesting that liquor money was allegedly routed to certain MP candidates during the general elections. The funds were reportedly funnelled by the prime accused, Raj Kasireddy, through his driver, and delivered to political candidates via their own drivers or gunmen. In a bid to dig deeper into these alleged connections, a SIT team recently camped in Tirupati for two days. During their stay, officials questioned several individuals and reportedly gathered crucial evidence to support the emerging claims. The probe is now intensifying, focusing on the origin of the funds used for distributing cash and other inducements to voters during the elections. Investigators are said to be tracing both the source and the flow of this money. In the midst of these developments, former Chandragiri MLA and YSR Congress Party's Ongole MP candidate in the last elections, Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, has publicly claimed that attempts werre being made to implicate him in the case. Speaking to the media on Thursday and Friday, Chevireddy maintained his innocence and declared he was ready to cooperate with any investigation. He alleged that the SIT had coerced a former Armed Reserve constable named Giri, who once served as his gunman, into making a false statement against him. 'When I served as government whip, constable Giri worked with me. The SIT summoned him and interrogated him for five days. They pressured him to falsely claim that I moved funds ranging from Rs 250 crore to Rs `500 crore. If they want to arrest me, there's no need for battalions. I'll surrender voluntarily if called. The truth will come out in court,' Chevireddy stated. He further alleged that his associate, Venkateswar Naidu, was also being subjected to harsh interrogation by the SIT in an attempt to extract a statement implicating him. Chevireddy urged investigators to question him directly rather than harassing those associated with him. He also reiterated his long-standing opposition to liquor, citing personal loss due to alcohol. 'I lost both my father and brother to alcohol. I have no association with liquor and I never will,' he asserted. As the SIT's probe deepens, more names from the political and administrative spheres are expected to emerge. With multiple layers being peeled back, the scandal is fast becoming one of the most politically charged controversies in the State's recent history.
