Chevireddy detained at Bengaluru Airport in AP liquor case ?

YSRCP leader and former Chandragiri MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy was detained by Bengaluru Airport Police on Tuesday morning in connection with the ongoing Andhra Pradesh liquor scam investigation. According to officials, Chevireddy was at the Kempegowda International Airport, and was reportedly preparing to travel to Colombo.

Police acted based on a lookout notice issued against Chevireddy by the AP Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is probing allegations of illegal liquor transport and financial irregularities during the previous government. Upon being alerted by the Bengaluru authorities, SIT teams from Tirupati were dispatched to take Chevireddy into custody. He is likely to be brought to Vijayawada later tonight or by Thursday morning, where his formal arrest will be recorded.

The SIT has already questioned Chevireddy’s personal aides and gunmen about his alleged role in the case. However, the probe has drawn controversy after Chevireddy’s gunman, Madan, filed a petition in the High Court, alleging custodial torture during his interrogation.

In a letter sent to the DGP, Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, and Home Minister, Madan claimed that he was assaulted and coerced by SIT officials into making a false statement implicating Chevireddy. He alleged that he was forced to say that Rs 200- Rs 250 crore was illegally transported, and that he had to be hospitalized for six days due to the alleged abuse.

Meanwhile, the SIT has expanded its investigation, detaining several individuals believed to be linked to the liquor case. These includes, K S Reddy Rajashekhara Reddy, alleged to have collected money from distilleries, Dhanunjay Reddy, former secretary to ex-CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Krishnamohan Reddy, officer on special duty (OSD) during the YSRCP government and Balaji Govindappa, director of Bharathi Cements.