ANDHRA PRADESH: Former Andhra Minister Jogi Ramesh Remanded in Liquor Case
In a move that has ignited fresh political sparks in Andhra Pradesh, a court remanded YSR Congress Party leader and former minister Jogi Ramesh, along with his brother Jogi Ramu, to judicial custody until November 13 in the ongoing spurious liquor investigation.
The siblings, arrested amid heightened tensions on Sunday, now face scrutiny over alleged ties to an illicit racket that has claimed lives and exposed regulatory lapses.
This development raises questions about justice in a charged electoral landscape, where accusations fly from all sides.
Swift Arrest and Court Proceedings
The duo appeared before a magistrate at his residence in the pre-dawn hours of Monday, following a grueling 12-hour interrogation by the Special Investigation Team in Vijayawada.
After reviewing the police remand report, the court opted for judicial custody, bypassing further police questioning.
Officers then transported them to Vijayawada Central Jail, marking a pivotal shift in a case that has ensnared high-profile figures.
The early morning hearing underscored the urgency, as supporters gathered outside, voicing concerns over procedural fairness.
Roots of the Allegations
The arrests stemmed from disclosures by prime accused Addepalli Janardhana Rao, who implicated Jogi Ramesh in directing the production of spurious liquor.
Rao’s viral video confession last month detailed a phone call from Ramesh in April, urging resumption of operations despite the change in government, along with promises of Rs.3 crore for an African distillery venture.
Investigators claim the racket originated in 2023 under Ramesh’s ministerial tenure, with units in Ibrahimpatnam and Mulakalacheruvu.
Rao recounted a September 23 meeting at Ramesh’s home before his Africa trip, painting a picture of sustained involvement that authorities say fueled deadly distributions.
Political Firestorm Erupts
Just a day prior, Ramesh petitioned the Andhra Pradesh High Court for a CBI takeover, decrying the state probe as biased and politically driven.
He sought transfer of two FIRs from Mulakalacheruvu and Bhavanipuram stations, plus scrutiny of Rao’s recorded statement, which he labeled coerced.
YSRCP chief and former Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy slammed the arrests as “illegal,” accusing TDP leader N. Chandrababu Naidu of deflection tactics to shield his allies.
Reddy highlighted the coalition’s 18-month rule, questioning why seized liquor traces back to their watch.
Ramesh echoed these sentiments, vowing legal battle and denying any role, while YSRCP protests flared in Ibrahimpatnam and at the Excise Police Station.
The party alleges an IVRS smear campaign by the ruling alliance to bury their own links to the scandal.
Key Claims in the Case
- Rao alleged Ramesh’s directives revived operations post-NDA victory, aimed at undermining the new regime.
- Financial incentives included Rs.3 crore support for overseas expansion, per police records.
- Evidence points to 2023 startups in key districts, with Ramesh’s residence as a coordination hub.
- Ramesh’s October 15 complaint demanded probe into Rao’s “duress-induced” video.
As the SIT delves deeper, this saga blends crime with controversy, testing Andhra’s institutions amid calls for impartiality.
Families of victims from the tainted liquor tragedies watch closely, hoping for accountability beyond partisan lines.