In a latest development in the AP liquor scam, SIT has arrested one of the key accused Balaji Govindappa. With pucca information, he was arrested in Mysore and is being brought to Vijayawada. Govindappa is the life-time director in Bharathi Cements.
With regards to the AP liquor scam, the three accused, Govindappa, ex secretary of CMO Dhanunjaya Reddy and ex CM Jagan’s OST Krishnamohan Reddy, were given notices to appear before SIT. They were told to present themselves in the SIT office in Vijayawada Commissionerate on May 11.
However, all three of them did not bother to turn up. Already, the AP High Court struck down their anticipatory bail petitions. The Supreme Court too refused to give intermediary protection from arrest.
Dhanunjaya Reddy, Krishnamohan Reddy and Govindappa are very close to Jagan. They played a vital role in collecting the kickbacks and diverting monies to shell companies.
They would regularly meet with liquor companies and distillery owners in Hyderabad and Tadepalli to decide on the amount to be given as kickbacks, SIT revealed. Raj Kasireddy would give them the money and they would send it to Jagan, SIT said in remand reports of those arrested so far.
Given this backdrop, SIT arrested Govindappa in Mysore.
