In the latest development in the ₹3,200 crore liquor scam that allegedly took place during the YSR Congress Party regime in Andhra Pradesh, the Vijayawada Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) Court on Tuesday extended the judicial remand of the arrested accused until June 3.
With the earlier remand period ending today, CID officials produced the accused before the court. After reviewing the case, the court decided to extend their remand.
The accused — Raj Kesireddy, Govindappa Balaji, Chanakya, Dilip, Sajjala Sridhar Reddy, K Dhanunjaya Reddy, and P Krishnamohan Reddy — are currently lodged in the Vijayawada district jail.
According to sources, the defence lawyers informed the court that no updates had been provided regarding the progress of the investigation.
Responding to this, the court directed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) authorities to submit an update on the investigation so far.
In addition to extending the judicial remand, the ACB Court instructed the investigating officer to submit a written report detailing the current status of the investigation.
The accused also requested permission to interact with their family members. Considering the request on humanitarian grounds, the judge allowed them to meet their families for half an hour.
Meanwhile, in a related development, the SIT filed a petition seeking one-week custody of Dhanunjaya Reddy and Krishnamohan Reddy — both recently arrested in connection with the case. The hearing on this petition is expected to take place tomorrow (Wednesday).
Separately, accused Sajjala Sridhar Reddy submitted a 10-page letter to the ACB Court judge. It is already known that he had earlier requested permission to present certain matters to the court.
Following the judge’s suggestion to submit a written statement during the remand extension proceedings, Sridhar Reddy submitted the letter claiming he has no involvement in the case and raising several other points.
