The SIT investigation found that Rajampet MP Peddireddy Mithun Reddy was the mastermind behind the conspiracy of extortion carried out by the ‘YSRC gang’ under the guise of the new liquor policy during the Jaganmohan Reddy’s regime, arranging for its implementation and providing direction to the gang members from time to time.
The SIT has concluded that Mithun Reddy played a key role in creating a hawala network with Raj Kasireddy to collect bribes from distilleries and supply companies, and in transferring the amounts collected by them to ‘Bigg Boss’. Initially, favorable officers were appointed in key positions. They plotted with the other accused how to collect bribes.
An automated system was in place for transparency in issuing liquor supply orders. It was canceled on Mithun Reddy’s orders and a manual system was introduced to facilitate their extortion. Since then, indents were placed so that orders would be given to the brands of the companies that were paying bribes. Companies that did not agree to this were chased away. Their own brands were brought in their place. Their basic prices were increased drastically and the treasury was looted.
After finding key evidence about his involvement in this scam, he was included as the fourth accused (A4). The SIT has clearly revealed all these things in the remand reports of the accused arrested so far and in the affidavit filed in the Supreme Court to dismiss Mithun Reddy’s anticipatory bail petition.
He was the key in bringing Vasudeva Reddy, an IRTS officer who was in favor of their gang, on deputation and appointing him as the MD of APSBCL and the Commissioner of Distilleries and Breweries, to implement this conspiracy. Mithun Reddy summoned Satya Prasad, who was an Excise Assistant Commissioner, to his residence in Tirupati. He lured him with the promise of promotion as a confirmed IAS if he did as they said.
They used him as a pawn and exploited him. As per Mithun Reddy’s orders, Vasudeva Reddy and Satya Prasad went to Vijayasai Reddy’s residence in Hyderabad with details of liquor sales in the state in previous years. There, they met Mithun Reddy, Raj Kasireddy, his brother-in-law Muppidi Avinash Reddy, and Vijayasai Reddy on October 13, 2019.
In December 2019, as per Mithun Reddy’s orders, Vasudeva Reddy and Satya Prasad met Raj Kasireddy. Raj directed that supply orders should be given only to the companies they mentioned and that no supplier should be encouraged without their knowledge. It was then decided that bribes ranging from Rs. 150 to Rs. 600 per case could be charged, based on the base price of the brands.