AP CID Files Fresh Case Against Naidu

Vijayawada: The state CID has registered another case against Telugu Desam chief N. Chandrababu Naidu in relation to allegations that he gave illegal permits to liquor companies when he was chief minister.

The CID registered this case under the Prevention of Corruption Act and cited Naidu as the third accused. The case pertains to the liquor permissions granted by the state government between 2014 and 2019.

This was the fourth case filed by the CID against the Telugu Desam chief.

Naidu was first arrested in the skill development scam case. Subsequently, cases related to the Amaravati inner ring road alignment and fibergrid were filed against him.

The CID informed the ACB court in Vijayawada about the new case and requested it to commence the hearing. The court has admitted the case but did not announce the hearing date.

The complaint was lodged by Vasudeva Reddy, commissioner of Distilleries & Breweries and Managing Director of the AP State Beverages Corporation. Based on this, the AP CID registered case against IS Sri Naresh as prime accused, former minister and Telugu Desam senior leader Kollu Ravindra as second accused and Chandrababu Naidu the third accused.

Vasudeva Reddy stated in the complaint that while undertaking a review of the earnings and revenue for the state during 2014-2019, “several glaring policy decisions came to light, which had the effect of reducing the revenues for the state and benefitting the licensees.”

“It was also found that, contrary to the recommendations of the committee constituted for the purpose by the government of AP, a few distilleries were favoured; and LOI new brands were permitted by the public servants after the notification dated 18.03.2019 for the general election was issued.”

“It is also startling that the suppliers, in conspiracy and collusion with the licensees, exaggerated the demand for certain products, without there being a market demand for the same, thereby resulting in distorted projection being given to the Corporation.”

Vasudeva Reddy stated, “There being no mechanism for verification of the actual demand, the data of the supplies and the quantities for the relevant period 2015-2019, showed that a few companies were preferred, and orders were placed for their products disproportionate to their market share, to the extent of 70 per cent of the brands being garnered by identified individual suppliers.”