ED arrests ex-Andhra minister Nageswara Rao in APSBCL liquor tender case

The Enforcement Directorate on Sunday arrested former Andhra Pradesh minister Karumuri Nageswara Rao in Hyderabad in connection with its money-laundering probe into alleged irregularities in liquor transportation tenders of the APSBCL.

Hyderabad: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Sunday arrested former Andhra Pradesh Minister Karumuri Nageswara Rao in connection with its money-laundering investigation into alleged irregularities in the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Ltd (APSBCL) liquor transportation tender case.

According to sources, Rao was arrested from Kondapur in Hyderabad, where he was allegedly staying while avoiding the agency’s proceedings. His anticipatory bail pleas had earlier been rejected by the Andhra Pradesh High Court and the Supreme Court.

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Following his arrest, Rao was shifted to the ED office at Basheerbagh in Hyderabad for further proceedings.

The case has been registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and is based on an FIR filed by the Andhra Pradesh CID following a vigilance report. The probe pertains to alleged manipulation of liquor transportation contracts during the previous government and the alleged diversion of proceeds through subcontracting arrangements.

The ED is investigating the financial transactions and the alleged role of individuals involved in the tender process.