Hyderabad: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has launched a multi-pronged operation to track down Kasireddy Rajashekar Reddy, also known as Raj Kasireddy, who is facing serious allegations of acting as a middleman for senior officials during the YSRCP regime in the liquor scam case.
Despite receiving three notices from the SIT, Raj Kasireddy has not appeared for questioning. He reportedly questioned the basis of the summons, defied High Court directives, and is now absconding without cooperating with the investigation.
Major crackdown in Hyderabad
On Monday, a joint team of over 50 personnel from the SIT and Telangana Police, led by Additional SP Bhushanam, carried out simultaneous raids at nearly 15 locations in Hyderabad. The searches began in the afternoon and continued late into the night, targeting Raj Kasireddy’s residences in Jubilee Hills and Manchirevu; Villa No 15 in Ekta Prime Villas, Financial District; Aret Hospital in Gachibowli, where his wife Dr Piereddy Divya Reddy is the Director; Ishani Infra, a company reportedly run in the name of Raj's daughter; ED Creations, suspected to be a benami firm; the residence of Raj’s brother-in-law, Muppidi Avinash Reddy and properties linked to Raj Pushpa in Narsingi and other locations.
During the raids, authorities seized crucial documents and hard disks and identified several individuals involved in Raj’s financial dealings. The SIT plans to issue notices to these individuals for further questioning.
Kasireddy Rajashekar Reddy's in-laws flee
The SIT also reached Raj’s in-laws’ residence at Kerthi Westwinds Township in Manchirevula, Narsinghi, Hyderabad, only to find the house locked. Piereddy Sujatha Reddy and Sharwa Reddy, Raj’s in-laws, had reportedly left five days ago. SIT officials seized the CCTV footage from the premises and suspect that Raj and his family went into hiding as part of a planned escape.
Who’s leaking information to the accused?
Amidst the crackdown, serious allegations have emerged that loyalists of the previous YSRCP regime, still working in intelligence departments, may be tipping off the accused about police movements. Sources claim that several former officials and public representatives involved in criminal cases have been evading arrest by frequently changing locations and switching off phones, aided by these leaks.
The SIT has reportedly compiled a list of companies and individuals linked to Raj’s financial transactions, including details of where the liquor scam funds, were invested and who received payments. Investigations will now focus on these leads.
Raj Kasireddy Invests Ill-Gotten Wealth in Multiple Sectors
Amaravati: Raj Kasireddy, a key figure implicated in the liquor scam during the YSRCP regime, is now at the centre of a controversy for investing his ill-gotten assets in the film industry and other sectors. Kasireddy, who is facing serious charges related to the scam, reportedly established a company called ED Creations with his benamis and has since become a partner in the production of several films. He is also preparing to undertake additional projects in the future.
Apart from his involvement in the film industry, Kasireddy has made substantial investments in the real estate and electricity sectors. He established Ishani Infra in the name of his daughter and acquired shares in several corporate hospitals in Hyderabad. These investments were uncovered during the ongoing SIT investigation into the liquor scam. As a result, simultaneous searches were conducted on Monday at various locations associated with his business activities.
Converting Black Money into Legal Investments
Allegations against Kasireddy and others involved in the liquor scam suggest that bribes ranging from Rs. 150 to Rs. 450 were demanded for each liquor case during the YSRCP regime. Liquor supply orders were allegedly awarded to companies that paid these bribes. Over four years and two months, an estimated Rs. 3,000 crore was looted, with Rs. 60 crore being siphoned off every month.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has found that Raj Kasireddy was instrumental in managing the seven-tier system, which included cash handlers and couriers responsible for collecting bribes from liquor companies. He also played a pivotal role in funnelling these bribes to higher authorities, including a figure referred to as Bigg Boss.
As the investigation progressed, it emerged that Kasireddy used a portion of the illicit funds to invest in various sectors, thereby attempting to launder his black money. The SIT’s findings also suggest that Kasireddy may have made investments on behalf of Bigg Boss in several other ventures, further complicating the web of financial dealings tied to the scam.
