Vijayawada: Raj Kasireddy, also known as Kasireddy Rajasekhar Reddy, a key accused in the high-profile liquor scam that allegedly took place during the previous YSRCP govt in Andhra Pradesh, was arrested by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday night at the Shamshabad airport in Hyderabad. His arrest came after weeks of evasion, during which he ignored multiple summons issued by the SIT and failed to comply with high court directives. He was IT advisor during YSRCP regime.
Following his arrest, Kasireddy was transported overnight to Vijayawada, where he was taken directly to the SIT office for questioning. The interrogation began around 11 pm and continued until 3 am, before resuming again at 7:30 am on Tuesday. SIT officials questioned him based on evidence, testimonies, and statements already collected during the investigation.
Sources revealed that the interrogation focused on the modalities of the alleged scam, particularly the processes involved in granting licences to distillery companies, the flow of liquor-related transactions, and the influence exerted by political and business entities. The SIT also sought clarity on Kasireddy’s role in key decisions and financial dealings during the previous regime. He was reportedly shown documents and statements from other individuals linked to the case.
Despite consistent questioning, Kasireddy is said to have denied knowledge of several aspects of the scam. He admitted to involvement in certain meetings and discussions but claimed ignorance or lack of involvement in other critical areas. Investigators believe he may be withholding information, and further rounds of questioning may be required.
SIT’s questioning also included references to statements recorded earlier from prominent political figures, including former MP V Vijayasai Reddy and current MP Midhun Reddy. When confronted with these statements, Kasireddy reportedly maintained that he was unaware of the matters discussed.
After nearly 12 hours of questioning spread over two sessions, Kasireddy was taken to a govt hospital in Vijayawada for a mandatory medical examination. SIT officials produced him before the ACB court in Vijayawada on Tuesday evening. The arguments of both sides continued till late night.
Legal experts suggest that the court is likely to remand Kasireddy to judicial custody, pending further investigation. The SIT may seek additional time to continue questioning him in custody, considering the scale of the alleged scam and the number of high-profile individuals potentially involved.
