The fake liquor racket that recently came to light in Andhra Pradesh has sparked widespread public anger and intense political backlash.
Following the Mulakalacheruvu case in Annamayya district, where police seized large quantities of spurious liquor and arrested 14 people, opposition parties have launched protests alleging government negligence and complicity.
What is surprising is that Srinivasa Wines in Vidyadharpuram, Vijayawada, owned by prime accused Addepalli Janardhan Rao, where the excise officials detected spurious liquor, continues to operate without any action from the department.
Investigations have revealed that Addepalli Janardhan Rao is a partner in Srinivasa Wines.
The fake liquor produced in the illegal units was supplied from a warehouse in Ibrahimpatnam to this licensed outlet.
Kalyan, who managed the wine shop, sold the counterfeit products as genuine branded liquor, sharing the profits with the masterminds.
When Excise officials conducted raids on the premises, they found substantial evidence confirming the sale of fake liquor.
Following the inspection, Kalyan was arrested, and samples were seized for forensic analysis.
Yet, the authorities did not take any steps to close down the wine shop and it continued to sell the same brands to the consumers.
On Saturday, local Communist activists and women staged a massive protest at Srinivasa Wines, accusing the outlet of resuming sales despite being caught selling fake liquor earlier.
The protesters smashed bottles, raised slogans against the government, and demanded stringent action. Tension prevailed briefly before police intervened and assured action.
Opposition parties, including the YSRCP and Left groups, accused the ruling TDP-led alliance of turning a blind eye to the growing menace.
“The government that promised phased prohibition has failed miserably. Fake liquor continues to flow, endangering lives,” the Communist leaders said.
They alleged that the liquor mafia operated under political patronage, linking the racket to leaders like TDP’s Jayachandra Reddy, who was earlier suspended from the party.
“The fake liquor business has spread across multiple districts, including Vijayawada, Ibrahimpatnam, and NTR district, with the administration complicit in the cover-up,” they charged.
Demanding moral responsibility from the government, the opposition said two years of unchecked operations had turned the illicit liquor trade into a state-wide network, calling for a judicial probe.
