ED attaches Rs 441.63 crore assets in AP Liquor Scam

The Enforcement Directorate has provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth Rs 441.63 crore in connection with the alleged Andhra Pradesh liquor scam. The agency said illegal commissions were collected and routed through shell companies before being invested in properties

Hyderabad: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) Hyderabad officials have provisionally attached movable and immovable assets worth Rs 441.63 crore in connection with the alleged Andhra Pradesh liquor scam under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The properties belong to K Rajasekhara Reddy, his family members and associates, B Chanakya and related entities, relatives of D Vasudeva Reddy and others. The attached assets include bank balances, fixed deposits, land parcels and other properties.

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The ED initiated the probe based on an FIR registered by the Andhra Pradesh CID on a complaint alleging a loss of about Rs 4,000 crore to the state exchequer.

According to investigators, the liquor procurement and supply system was allegedly manipulated after 2019 through a manual process that allowed certain brands to receive preferential treatment in return for kickbacks. Distilleries were reportedly forced to pay illegal commissions of 15 to 20 per cent per case to secure supply approvals.

The agency said the syndicate generated large illegal revenues, which were routed through shell companies and invested in real estate and other assets.