Liquor Scam: ED summons MP Kesineni Chinni wife

In a significant escalation of the ongoing Andhra Pradesh liquor scam investigation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Janaki Lakshmi Kesineni, the wife of Vijayawada MP Kesineni Chinni, to appear for questioning on May 27. This development comes amid rising scrutiny surrounding PRYDE Infracon LLP, a company in which Kesineni is a director, and its alleged connections to key suspect Kessireddy Rajasekhara Reddy, known as Raj Reddy. Sources indicate that Janaki had previously been summoned but failed to comply, prompting the issuance of new summons as the agency delves deeper into potential links between the firm and illicit financial activities tied to the liquor racket.

The allegations against Kesineni Chinni and his family have intensified following claims regarding significant financial misconduct within the state's liquor industry. The ED has characterized Raj Reddy as the mastermind behind an extensive liquor cartel, asserting that he exploited his position as an IT adviser to the Andhra Pradesh government to manipulate the procurement system. The agency alleges that approximately ₹3,200 crore in illegal payments were collected from distilleries, funneling through a network of shell companies. The gravity of these accusations and their potential implications for political integrity in Andhra Pradesh cannot be overstated.

The Kesineni family has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, arguing that PRYDE Infracon LLP merely sought to develop a land parcel in Hyderabad without any ties to the alleged liquor scam. Chinni maintains that the partnership was limited, with their investment amounting to a mere 400 square yards compared to the vast holdings of other stakeholders. He insists that the project's halt in 2022-23 signifies a legitimate business endeavor that became embroiled in a politically charged investigation. Despite these assertions, the ED's mounting evidence and allegations of illicit financial activities continue to cast a shadow over their operations.

As the investigation unfolds, additional individuals are being swept into the inquiry, including family members of former MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, who are suspected of facilitating transactions linked to the alleged scam. The ED has indicated that illegal cash movements related to election funding are also under scrutiny, with claims that Bhaskar Reddy's family orchestrated a sophisticated system for transporting large sums of money across districts using official vehicles. Such revelations raise pressing questions about the intersection of political power and organized financial crime, underscoring the need for thorough accountability in Andhra Pradesh's governance.