The YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) alleged that the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government was falsely implicating former Government Whip Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy in the so-called liquor scam. The YSRCP further alleged that the Special Investigation Team (SIT) officials were using coercion and force to extract false statements from former gunmen of Mr. Bhaskar Reddy. The SIT, however, dismissed the YSRCP’s claims as part of a “larger conspiracy” to derail one of the most high-profile corruption investigations in the State’s recent history.
Addressing a press conference at the party office on Tuesday, YSRCP leader Chevireddy Mohith Reddy claimed that the SIT probing the liquor scam is resorting to third-degree tactics to extract false statements implicating Chevireddy. “This is a clear conspiracy to malign our leader. Former gunmen Giri and head constable Madan Reddy were summoned and subjected to brutal torture for refusing to lie,” he alleged.
Mr. Mohith Reddy displayed photographs reportedly showing Mr. Madan Reddy’s injuries, claiming the constable was hospitalised after being “beaten mercilessly”. The head constable has filed a petition in the High Court seeking protection from further harassment, citing misuse of police power by the government. “Is it now a crime to refuse to lie under pressure?” he asked.
He warned the government that power is temporary and that using police as pawns to frame YSRCP leaders will not go unchallenged, and cautioned police officers that unlawful actions will make them answerable before the court
Responding to these allegations, the SIT, in a release, said that Mr. Mohit Reddy’s accusations are “fabricated and motivated”, aimed at weakening the ongoing probe. The head constable was summoned for questioning based on new evidence linking large sums of illicit money routed from the scam’s prime accused, Kessireddy Rajasekhar Reddy alias Raj, to Mr. Bhaskar Reddy. These funds were allegedly distributed during elections.
The SIT further said that Mr. Madan Reddy refused to cooperate and even attempted to intimidate officers by threatening self-harm and falsely blaming them. “This is not the first attempt to malign the SIT,” the statement said, referring to a recent habeas corpus petition filed in the High Court claiming illegal detention of another Mr. Bhaskar Reddy’s associate, Balaji Kumar Yadav. “These incidents appear to be orchestrated moves to paralyse the SIT’s work and protect high-profile persons.”
So far, SIT has questioned over 200 people, and no allegations of misconduct have surfaced until now, officials asserted. They insisted that the probe is being conducted in a transparent, legally sound manner based on documentary and technical evidence.
SIT has requested the Director General of Police (DGP) to initiate a high-level inquiry into Mr. Madhan Reddy’s claims through a senior officer to ensure full transparency. The agency also urged strict departmental action if any wrongdoing is found on either side.
Published – June 17, 2025 09:52 pm IST
