As a sigh of relief for Chandrababu naidu, in the form of Interim bail for 4 weeks on health grounds, came today from Andhra Pradesh High Court, the family and well wishers of Naidu are celebrating his return from Rajahmundry jail today. But this celebration, will not be there for too long as another big case is also looming around the corner. On 28th October, just a couple of days before Naidu got his interim bail, The Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (CID) Mangalagiri police have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Naidu and several others, accusing them of involvement in a liquor scam that allegedly occurred during his previous tenure as Chief Minister.
The Liquor scam is a bigger than the current Skill Development Scam. Lets understand the various aspect of the alleged Scam!
Background of the Liquor Scam
The FIR, was registered on October 28 under sections 166, 167, 409, 120(B) R/W 34 of IPC and section 13 (1)(d) r/w 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, this stems from a complaint lodged by D. Vasudeva Reddy, Commissioner of Distilleries and Breweries, and Managing Director of Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation.
Accused and Allegations:
In this case, three prominent figures have been named as accused. I.S. Naresh, a bureaucrat, is identified as accused number 1, former Minister and TDP senior leader Kollu Ravindra as accused number 2, and N. Chandrababu Naidu himself as accused number 3. The FIR also mentions several other public servants and unknown individuals as accused persons.
Alleged Scam Details:
The FIR alleges that during Naidu’s tenure, certain distilleries were favoured through the issuance of Letters of Intent (LOI) and permissions for new brands. These decisions were made against the recommendations of a committee constituted by the State government. Furthermore, distilleries, including SPY Agro Industries Ltd in Nandyal, were allegedly provided with extensions and permissions beyond the recommended capacity, causing significant financial losses to the state.
Additionally, it is claimed that certain suppliers of liquor were unduly favoured, and approval for specific brands was hurriedly granted after the announcement of general elections in 2019. These actions, the CID suggests, led to an estimated loss of approximately ₹1,300 crore to the public exchequer annually.
Government Response:
The state government has not taken these allegations lightly. The FIR reflects a determined effort to investigate and address corruption within the government ranks, demonstrating a commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring transparency in governance.
Implications:
The filing of this FIR has significant implications for both Naidu and the political landscape of Andhra Pradesh. Naidu, a prominent political figure, now faces serious charges that could potentially mar his reputation and political career. Additionally, these allegations might have repercussions on the Telugu Desam Party, raising questions about the party’s ethics and integrity, if proved otherwise.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the people of Andhra Pradesh keenly await the outcome of this case. The FIR against N. Chandrababu Naidu serves as a stark reminder that corruption within the political sphere will not be tolerated, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in governance. As the case progresses, it will undoubtedly shape the future trajectory of not only the individuals involved but also the state's politics.
