Andhra Pradesh: YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader and former minister Jogi Ramesh was arrested on Sunday by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing a spurious liquor case. Officials confirmed that the arrest followed statements by the prime accused, Janardhan Rao, who claimed he produced adulterated liquor under instructions from Ramesh.
SIT officials took Ramesh into custody from his Ibrahimpatnam residence early in the morning and shifted him to the excise office for questioning. His close aide, Arepalli Ramu, was also arrested in connection with the case. Tension erupted near Ramesh’s residence as YSRCP supporters clashed with police, raising slogans against the government.
Investigators said Janardhan Rao alleged that Ramesh had initially promised financial support for the liquor operation but later distanced himself. The SIT has conducted searches at multiple locations linked to the case, while excise officials led by assistant superintendent Rama Shiva inspected Ramesh’s residence prior to the arrest.
Reacting sharply, Ramesh called the arrest illegal and politically motivated, asserting he had “no role whatsoever” in the case. He accused the State government of targeting opposition leaders and vowed to fight the case legally.
Ramesh’s son, Rajiv, condemned the arrest as part of a political vendetta, demanding that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and minister Nara Lokesh hand over the investigation to the CBI if they were genuinely sincere.
