The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Andhra Pradesh liquor scam case has filed a supplementary charge sheet revealing new details of the alleged conspiracy, including whistleblower alerts, the role of consultancy firm KPMG, and an elaborate money trail.
According to the SIT, Dr Rajat Bhargava, IAS, Special Chief Secretary (Revenue), emerged as a key whistleblower, having made several attempts to alert the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) about irregularities in the excise department. The charge sheet alleges that CMO official Dhananjay Reddy specifically instructed Bhargava not to take any action.
The SIT has also detailed the role of KPMG, claiming the firm was hired to lend credibility to a flawed excise policy. Officials from KPMG allegedly met the key conspirators several times and suggested introducing a manual indenting process, replacing automated indenting, which investigators say benefitted select vendors.
Call data records cited in the charge sheet show that PSR Anjaneyalu, former intelligence chief, had 65 calls with a key accused in just two hours. The initial meetings to set up the alleged scheme were reportedly held on October 13, 2019, in the presence of Vijay Sai Reddy and Raj Kasireddy Vasudeva Reddy.
The SIT has traced alleged proceeds of crime, including 11 parcels of land totalling 30 acres and 25 guntas around Hyderabad in the name of Raj Kasireddy. The house of the accused Chanakya was allegedly used as a safe house for money logistics.
...
Richard Gregg is no longer fit and proper to be a tax agent, said the TPB; in other news, MHA completed its acquisition of Baker Tilly South-East Europe