Liquor Scam: ACB Court Sends Raj Kasireddy to 14-Day Judicial Remand
In a significant development in the high-profile liquor scam that has stirred statewide controversy, Raj Kasireddy, who faces key allegations in the case, has been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days by the special ACB (Anti-Corruption Bureau) court in Vijayawada. The order was issued by Magistrate Bhaskar Rao around 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday night. Following the court's directive, police transferred Kasireddy to the district jail in Vijayawada.
Prior to the remand, SIT (Special Investigation Team) officials conducted medical examinations on Raj Kasireddy at a government hospital and presented him before the ACB court later that night. During the proceedings, Magistrate Bhaskar Rao questioned why the case was being heard in the ACB court instead of the CID court. At one point, the judge considered rejecting the remand and advised that the case memo be revised and submitted to the CID court.
At this juncture, Advocate General Dammalapati Srinivas and Public Prosecutor Kalyani, appearing for the CID, argued that the case falls under the Prevention of Corruption Act (PC Act), and hence the ACB court holds the authority to conduct the hearing and issue a remand. They informed the court that under Section 17(A) of the PC Act, permission was granted to interrogate the third accused, former Special Officer Satyaprasad. However, they clarified that since Raj Kasireddy was not a government employee nor did he hold any official position within the Andhra Pradesh Beverages Corporation, the Section 17(A) approval was not applicable in his case.
The Advocate General further alleged that while serving as an IT advisor during the previous administration, Raj Kasireddy exerted undue influence over officials of the Beverages Corporation. He was accused of playing a central role in shaping a policy that facilitated monthly commissions amounting to ₹50–60 crore from liquor companies over a five-year period, totaling more than ₹3,200 crore. Statements from then Beverages Corporation MD Vasudeva Reddy and former Special Officer Satyaprasad were cited to substantiate these claims. It was also mentioned that Satyaprasad was brought to Andhra Pradesh on the promise of being conferred IAS status by MP Mithun Reddy.
Given the gravity of the case and the need for a thorough investigation, the prosecution urged the court to place Kasireddy under judicial remand.
On the other side, senior advocate Ponnavolu Sudhakar Reddy, representing Raj Kasireddy, argued that the formation of the SIT itself was legally untenable and that the ACB court did not have jurisdiction to issue a remand. He objected to the sudden inclusion of PC Act sections in the remand report that were absent in the original arrest memo issued on Monday. He also maintained that the PC Act was not applicable since Kasireddy was not a government employee and requested the court to reject the remand.
After hearing arguments from both sides, Magistrate Bhaskar Rao interacted directly with the accused. He inquired whether the arrest reasons had been explained, whether any notices were issued, and whether the accused had any health concerns. Taking all aspects into consideration, the magistrate issued orders placing Raj Kasireddy in judicial custody until May 6. He was immediately transferred to Vijayawada district jail.