New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh government’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) arrested YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader and Rajampet MP P.V. Midhun Reddy on Saturday (July 19) in connection with an alleged liquor scam worth over Rs. 3,200 crore.

Reddy was questioned for over seven hours before SIT personnel informed his family members of his arrest, the Hindu reported.

According to the report, his arrest was on the cards after the top court rejected Reddy’s plea for an anticipatory bail on July 12.

The ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) has accused the previous YRSCP administration of orchestrating the liquor scam by accepting kickbacks for promoting lesser-known local alcohol brands and processing the money through hawala networks and shell companies for personal and political gain. 

The SIT has named several key figures including Reddy, former advisor K. Raja Shekhar Reddy, retired IAS officer K. Dhanunjaya Reddy, Y.S. Jagan’s officer on special duty (OSD) Krishna Mohan Reddy and Bharathi Cements director G. Balaji.

On Saturday, the SIT said Reddy had conspired with others involved in the scam to help divert money collected from distilleries.

Reddy, who appeared before the SIT for the second time on Saturday, has called the case politically motivated. “I will fight legally over the false case,” Reddy told the media before appearing at the SIT office.

Reddy is due to be produced in the ACB Special Court in Vijayawada on July 20 (Sunday).

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