Amit Shah Responds to Alleged Andhra Liquor Scam During Jagan’s Tenure
The Central Government has responded to allegations made by Telugu Desam Party (TDP) Member of Parliament Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu regarding the illegal liquor trade in Andhra Pradesh during the tenure of the Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) government. Speaking in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu urged that those responsible for the liquor scam in Andhra Pradesh be investigated thoroughly and that agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate be involved in the probe.
In this context, while Parliament was in session, Union Home Minister Amit Shah reportedly summoned Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu to his office to seek further details. During the meeting, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu informed Amit Shah that the scale of corruption in Andhra Pradesh far exceeded that of the Delhi liquor scam. He submitted related documents to support his claims.
According to Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, out of the ₹90,000 crore liquor business in Andhra Pradesh, ₹18,000 crore was misappropriated, and an additional ₹4,000 crore was allegedly transferred under benami names to Dubai and African countries. It is reported that Amit Shah inquired further into these allegations.
Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu also handed over key documents to Amit Shah, allegedly confirming that N. Sunil Reddy from Hyderabad had transferred ₹2,000 crore to Dubai. The Union Home Minister reportedly assured him that an investigation would be initiated into the Andhra Pradesh liquor scam.
Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu also claimed that one Member of Parliament resigned and withdrew from politics due to the impact of this scandal. He further alleged that out of ₹99,000 crore in sales through government-run liquor outlets, only ₹690 crore were digital transactions, implying that the remaining funds were largely misappropriated by Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and his associates.
Between 2019 and 2024, the YSRCP government introduced 38 new liquor brands, all of which, Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu stated, were linked to businesses associated with the ruling party. He alleged that 26 new companies profited heavily from liquor sales and that liquor worth ₹20,356 crore was sold through covert channels.