Raj Kasireddy Arrested by SIT in Andhra Pradesh Liquor Scam Case
Raj Kasireddy, also known as Kasireddy Rajasekhar Reddy, who had been absconding in connection with the Andhra Pradesh liquor scam, was apprehended by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday evening in a strategic operation at Shamshabad Airport. The arrest follows his repeated evasion of four official summons issued by the SIT for questioning.
Kasireddy, alleged to be a key conspirator in the scam, had been under close surveillance by authorities after going underground to avoid interrogation. The SIT intensified its pursuit after questioning his father, Upender Reddy, last Friday. During the inquiry, Raj Kasireddy reportedly sent a WhatsApp message to his father to gather details about the interrogation. Investigators, who were monitoring the elder Reddy’s phone, traced the message’s origin to Goa.
Reacting swiftly, the SIT dispatched a team to Goa on Monday morning. However, anticipating the move, Kasireddy released an audio statement claiming he would voluntarily appear for questioning the following day. Simultaneously, he booked a flight from Goa to Hyderabad using a false identity under the name “Rajesh Reddy.”
Suspecting another attempt to escape, the SIT coordinated with Shamshabad Airport authorities and deployed an additional team at the terminal. Their suspicions deepened after discovering a connecting flight to Chennai under the same alias—suggesting Kasireddy’s intent to flee the country. When he failed to exit the airport upon arrival, SIT officials entered the premises and apprehended him inside the terminal building.
Despite his pleas—”I will come for the investigation tomorrow, please let me go”—the officials proceeded with the arrest, citing his repeated defiance of summons as justification.
The SIT immediately transferred him to Vijayawada for further interrogation and informed his father of the arrest. Raj Kasireddy is expected to be produced before the CID court on Tuesday, where investigators are likely to seek custody for detailed questioning.
It may be noted that prior to this arrest, the SIT had conducted raids on Kasireddy’s residence and office, seizing important documents and issuing a Look Out Circular (LOC) to prevent his escape from the country.
The arrest marks a critical development in the high-profile liquor scam case, which involves allegations of large-scale financial misconduct and political collusion in the distribution and licensing of liquor in Andhra Pradesh.
