Senior advocate Siddharth Luthra, appearing for the Special Investigation Team (SIT), told the AP High Court that Rajampet MP Peddireddy Mithun Reddy played a key role in the Rs 3,500 crore liquor scam that took place during the YSRCP regime. He said that Mithun Reddy handled everything himself in the formulation and implementation of the liquor policy at that time.
He said that liquor orders were given to the companies that paid bribes and the illegally earned money was diverted through various channels and fake companies.
“The government exchequer suffered a loss of Rs 3,500 crore. The Rs 5 crore received through liquor bribes went from Ekart Logistics to PLR Projects, which belongs to Mithun Reddy’s family members. One hundred percent shares in PLR belong to Mithun Reddy’s family members. Mithun Reddy’s argument that he has no connection with PLR Projects is meaningless”, he said.
After the news about the collection of bribes came out in the press, Luthra says that the money received from Ekart Logistics was paid back to that company. However, he said that the money was returned to the petitioner’s accounts in cash through various means. Investigation is ongoing to find out whose account the money received through bribes ultimately reached, he added.
“To get the facts, a custodial investigation of the petitioner is necessary. The petitioner has a previous criminal history. The petitioner has not placed complete details regarding the cases against him before the court. Some of the accused who gave statements before the magistrate are ready to become approvers. This matter is under consideration”, he said.
Luthra also said that there was evidence of his role in the liquor scam even when the petitioner first filed his anticipatory bail petition. Several accused and witnesses have given statements on the role of the petitioner in the scam, he said.
“After getting the evidence, we filed a memo in the relevant court on April 22, adding him as an accused,” Siddharth Luthra argued. The court announced that the hearing would be adjourned to Wednesday for continuation as there was not enough time for full arguments. High Court Judge Justice T. Mallikarjuna Rao gave orders to this effect on Monday.