Latest news with #JaganMohanReddy
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Naidu, Jagan mourn death of veteran Communist leader V.S. Achuthanandan
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed his deepest condolences on the passing of veteran Communist leader and former Chief Minister of Kerala, V. S. Achuthanandan. In a post on X on Monday, he described Achuthanandan's political journey, spanning over eight decades, as a reflection of unwavering dedication to his ideals and public service. 'May his soul rest in peace,' he stated. YSR Congress Party president and former Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy also conveyed his sorrow over the demise of the prominent Communist leader. He noted that Kerala's political landscape had lost a great statesman with Achuthanandan's passing. Jagan Mohan Reddy highlighted the veteran leader's courage, commitment, and deep connection with the people, saying these qualities would be remembered forever. He extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family and admirers and prayed for peace to the departed soul. The Andhra Pradesh State Committee of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) expressed deep sorrow over the veteran leader's demise. Achuthanandan passed away at a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday due to age-related ailments. He was 101. In a condolence message, the party State Secretary V. Srinivasa Rao conveyed sympathies on behalf of the party and instructed all party offices in the State to lower flags as a mark of respect. He described Achuthanandan as a towering figure in India's Communist movement, who joined the party at the age of 17 and played a crucial role in the land reform struggles under the leadership of Comrade Krishna Pillai. Achuthanandan led several key workers' and farm labourers' movements and was instrumental in shaping the growth of the Communist Party in Kerala. Remembering him as a humble leader devoted to the cause of social justice, Mr. Rao said his death is an irreparable loss to the Communist movement and the people at large.
Scroll.in
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Scroll.in
Andhra liquor scam: Former CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy received kickbacks, alleges chargesheet
YS Jagan Mohan Reddy allegedly received kickbacks of Rs 50 crore to Rs 60 crore per month during his tenure as Andhra Pradesh's chief minister, PTI quoted the police's chargesheet in the Rs 3,500-crore liquor scam case as having claimed. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who was the chief minister between May 2019 and June 2024, has not been named as an accused in the case, according to reports. The Criminal Investigation Department filed the chargesheet in a Vijayawada court on Saturday. The court is yet to take cognisance of the chargesheet, the news agency reported. The case pertains to an alleged scam involving the excise policy under the YSR Congress Party government, which was allegedly structured to benefit select companies and suppliers. The police have alleged that the firms paid kickbacks that were routed to Jagan Mohan Reddy through intermediaries. The bribes were allegedly handed over to Jagan Mohan Reddy's former IT advisor Kesireddy Rajashekar Reddy, who channelled the money through a network of shell companies, PTI quoted the chargesheet as having alleged. The money was then allegedly transferred to party leaders and 'masterminds' V Vijayasai Reddy and PV Midhun Reddy, who allegedly passed it on to Jagan Mohan Reddy, the chief minister at the time. Vijayasai Reddy is a former Rajya Sabha MP, while Midhun Reddy is a three-time Lok Sabha MP from Rajampet. On Sunday, a special Anti-Corruption Bureau court in Vijayawada remanded Midhun Reddy to judicial custody till August 1 in connection with the case, The Hindu reported. He was arrested on Saturday. The police have arrested 12 persons as part of its investigation. Jagan Mohan Reddy rejects allegations In a social media post, Jagan Mohan Reddy described the allegations against him as ' manufactured narrative ' created for 'media theatrics' and to divert attention from real problems. He also accused the Telugu Desam Party-led government of 'reviving corrupt liquor practices'. 'The entire case is built on statements extracted under pressure, threats, third-degree torture, and also through bribes and inducements,' he alleged. 'This is not a legal process, but a political witch-hunt.' He also condemned the arrest of Midhun Reddy, describing it as 'political vendetta'. I strongly condemn the illegal arrest of YSRCP Lok Sabha MP Sri P.V. Midhun Reddy. This is nothing but a political conspiracy designed to silence those who stand with the people. Midhun Reddy, who has been elected as a Member of Parliament for three consecutive terms, has been… — YS Jagan Mohan Reddy (@ysjagan) July 20, 2025
India Today
21 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Jagan Reddy calls liquor scam a 'manufactured narrative' for media theatrics
YSRCP chief YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday condemned the alleged liquor scam case, calling it a 'manufactured narrative' created purely for media Mohan Reddy's comments came after a local court in Vijayawada sent YSRCP MP PV Midhun Reddy to judicial custody till August Mohan Reddy said that the case was allegedly built on forced confessions through pressure, threats, torture, bribes, and inducements, condemning Midhun Reddy's arrest and said it was 'politically motivated'.advertisement "The alleged liquor scam is nothing but a manufactured narrative, created purely for media theatrics and to divert attention from real issues," said Jagan Mohan Reddy in a post on highlighted Midhun Reddy's three consecutive Lok Sabha victories, accusing the TDP-led NDA government of orchestrating a false narrative to hide its own scams and target opposition Mohan Reddy said Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu himself remains out on bail in liquor-related corruption cases with regard to the 2014-19 YSRCP alleged that the TDP is reviving corrupt liquor practices by reopening belt shops (unlicensed liquor shos), illegal permit rooms and encouraging backdoor sales after dismantling the erstwhile YSRCP government's 'successful transparent liquor reforms'.Jagan Mohan Reddy accused the TDP of reintroducing liquor mafia control, reinstating syndicate-driven corruption in licence allocations and weakening the enforcement established under the previous YSRCP government's liquor distribution former CM said that Naidu is allegedly misusing the Special Investigation Team (SIT) to arrest YSRCP leaders indefinitely without fair trial, using false cases as political weapons to destabilise strong opposition opposition leader vowed that the YSRCP will courageously fight injustices, defend democracy and protect people's rights against the TDP's alleged oppressive, politically driven actions under Naidu's administration.- EndsMust Watch IN THIS STORY#Andhra Pradesh
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
a day ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
YSRCP MP Midhun Reddy sent to judicial custody till August 1 in liquor scam
YSRCP Lok Sabha member PV Midhun Reddy who has been arrested in the alleged 3,500 crore liquor scam case was remanded to judicial custody until August 1. He was produced before Vijayawada ACB court today, said a police official. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested Reddy on Saturday in the alleged liquor scam case involving liquor policy during the previous YSRCP regime. Earlier this morning, SIT officials took Mithun Reddy to a government hospital in Vijayawada, where doctors conducted medical examination. "The medical team found no health complications; hence, he was presented before the court as per legal protocol," the police official told PTI. The SIT probing the alleged liquor scam grilled Midhun Reddy for several hours on Saturday and followed it up with his arrest at around 7:30 pm in Vijayawada. YSRCP leaders called the arrest as targeting of opposition voice. Sources in the party told PTI, "We have vowed to fight back with stronger determination, TDP-led NDA government is targeting opposition voices unfairly". Meanwhile, YSRCP chief and former chief minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy condemned the arrest of Midhun Reddy. "This is nothing but a political conspiracy designed to silence those who stand with the people," said Jagan Mohan Reddy in a post on X. Midhun Reddy represents Rajampet constituency in Andhra Pradesh.
Indian Express
a day ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Not accused, Jagan Mohan Reddy named as kickback beneficiary in Rs 3,500 crore liquor scam chargesheet
In a political bombshell ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament, a 305-page chargesheet filed by Andhra Pradesh Police in the Rs 3,500 crore liquor policy scam has named former Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy as a recipient of massive monthly kickbacks during his regime but stopped short of naming him as an accused. The chargesheet, yet to be taken cognisance of by the court, alleges that between 2019 and 2024, an average of Rs 50 to 60 crore was collected each month from distilleries and routed through a network of aides and shell companies, with the ultimate beneficiary being Jagan Mohan Reddy. 'The collected amounts were eventually handed over to Kesireddy Rajasekhar Reddy (A-1). Rajasekhar Reddy would then pass the money to Vijay Sai Reddy (A-5), Mithun Reddy (A-4), Balaji (A-33) who would transfer it to former Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. On an average, Rs 50-60 crore was collected every month (during the 2019-24 YSRCP regime),' the chargesheet states, citing corroborative witness testimony. This revelation comes on the heels of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) arresting Rajampet MP and YSRCP Lok Sabha floor leader P V Midhun Reddy on Saturday. He is accused of playing a key role in the alleged scam, which, according to the SIT, was orchestrated to fund the party's 2024 Assembly election campaign using laundered funds. Describing Midhun Reddy as a 'core conspirator from inception to execution,' the SIT alleges he helped design the excise policy and coordinated kickbacks from distilleries. 'The transaction trail indicated the use of front or shell companies for laundering kickbacks,' says the arrest notice. The chargesheet paints a sweeping picture of a systematically rigged liquor policy, allegedly drafted with the intent of extorting distilleries and funneling bribes into the ruling party's coffers. Investigators say the YSRCP regime manipulated excise approvals, favoured local liquor brands in exchange for bribes, and replaced automated order systems with manual processes to exercise tighter control and evade transparency. 'The accused planned the change in excise policy and also its modalities, to ensure that they would receive large kickbacks,' it says. Distillers were reportedly coerced into paying up to 20 per cent of the base price under threat of being excluded from supply orders – a tactic the SIT equates to extortion. The majority portion of the kickbacks was received in gold, cash or bullion, the chargesheet says. At the centre of the alleged scam is Kasireddy Rajasekhar Reddy, a former IT advisor to Jagan and labelled by the SIT as the 'mastermind' of the operation. He is accused of planting loyalists in the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited (APSBCL), setting up shell distilleries, laundering money through over 30 firms, and channelling funds for electioneering and asset purchases abroad, including luxury properties in Dubai and Africa. The Enforcement Directorate has also opened a parallel probe under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), with an ECIR registered in May. Investigators say the corruption racket was triggered by a 2019 meeting at Hotel Park Hyatt, Hyderabad, where distillery owners were summoned by YSRCP leaders and allegedly warned to comply with the kickback scheme or lose business. Following Midhun Reddy's arrest, the YSRCP cried foul, alleging 'political vendetta' by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu's government. 'This is nothing but a misuse of power to target opposition leaders,' several party leaders said in a joint statement. A party insider claimed Midhun's rising clout, especially after the exit of Vijayasai Reddy, made him a threat. 'After Vijayasai Reddy's exit, Midhun was the go-to man for young workers. He was also the party's face in Delhi. His father has been one of the TDP's biggest critics. By arresting him, the TDP wants to send a message that even Jagan's closest aides would not be spared,' a party insider said. TDP leaders, however, maintain that the arrest is backed by concrete evidence. 'The money acquired through illegal means was used to fund YSRCP's 2024 campaign,' said a senior TDP functionary. The Rs 3,500 crore scam revolves around a liquor policy introduced by the YSRCP government in 2019, which was initially positioned as a step towards phased prohibition. Instead, investigators allege the policy was manipulated to benefit certain distilleries and shell brands in exchange for hefty monthly kickbacks. Popular liquor brands were pushed out, and lesser-known ones were favoured under a manually controlled supply system that replaced the earlier automated Order for Supply (OFS) process. Distilleries were allegedly coerced into paying 12 to 20 percent of their base price as bribes in exchange for continued business. A 2019 meeting held at Hyderabad's Park Hyatt, attended by liquor manufacturers and YSRCP leaders, was cited in the chargesheet as the starting point of this extortion racket. Those who refused to comply were allegedly threatened with denial of OFS orders, effectively cutting off their supply chains. The SIT claims that the collected money, averaging Rs 65 to 70 crore monthly, was routed through over 30 shell companies, with portions laundered into gold, land, and overseas assets.
