Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Former Minister Karumuri Held in Andhra Pradesh Liquor Scam
Officials took former minister Karumuri Nageswara Rao into custody in a liquor transportation case.
The case concerns tenders issued during the previous YSRCP government.
Investigators allege that the payment rules were changed to pay transporters more money per kilometre.
They estimate that this may have cost the state Rs 195.33 crore.
The Enforcement Directorate says Nageswara Rao helped arrange contracts for his son and associates.
It also alleges that about Rs 15 crore reached him through hawala channels.
Nageswara Rao was first arrested by the ED and held in Hyderabad.
A court in Vijayawada later ordered that he remain in judicial custody until September 25.
SIT officials took former minister Karumuri Nageswara Rao into custody on Thursday.
The case concerns alleged irregularities in liquor transportation tenders issued by APSBCL.
Payments allegedly increased from Rs 13 to Rs 35 per kilometre, causing an estimated Rs 195.33 crore loss.
The ED alleges Nageswara Rao facilitated sub-contracts benefiting his son and business associates.
An ACB court remanded him to judicial custody until September 25 after the SIT brought him to Vijayawada.
- Who
- YSRCP leader and former minister Karumuri Nageswara Rao, along with other individuals previously arrested in the case.
- What
- The SIT took Nageswara Rao into custody over alleged liquor transportation tender irregularities and money laundering.
- When
- Thursday; the articles do not specify the calendar date. He was remanded until September 25.
- Where
- Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh; he had previously been lodged in Chanchalguda jail in Hyderabad.
- Why
- Investigators allege that tender conditions were altered, causing losses to the state and enabling benefits for Nageswara Rao and associates.
- Case
- Alleged liquor transportation tender scam
- Agency custody
- Andhra Pradesh Special Investigation Team (SIT)
- Tender payment rate
- Allegedly increased from Rs 13 to up to Rs 35 per kilometre
- Estimated state loss
- Rs 195.33 crore, according to the Enforcement Directorate
- Alleged funds routed
- Around Rs 15 crore allegedly routed to Nageswara Rao through hawala channels
- Asset attachment
- The ED provisionally attached family assets worth around Rs 87.7 crore
- Court order
- Judicial custody until September 25