Who is Raj Kasireddy, making headlines in Andhra Pradesh liquor scam?

The Andhra Pradesh Police arrested Rajasekhar Reddy Kasireddy on Monday (April 21) for his central role in the alleged massive liquor scam during the YSRCP regime.

During Jagan Mohan Reddy’s tenure as chief minister, the opposition TDP had accused the YSRCP of orchestrating a large-scale scam in the liquor policy, alleging misappropriation of thousands of crores. The TDP had vowed to launch a probe if it came to power.

True to its word, once the coalition government took charge, cases were filed and an investigation was launched into irregularities in liquor transactions. The probe pointed to the involvement of top YSRCP leaders, including MP Mithun Reddy and then-APBCL MD Vasudeva Reddy, who have already been served notices.

Spotlight on Raj Kasireddy

The focus turned squarely on Rajasekhar Reddy Kasireddy after Vijayasai Reddy publicly named him. Known as Raj Kasireddy, he was appointed as an IT adviser during the YSRCP regime. Reports suggest he owns multiple businesses abroad, notably in the liquor industry, which brought him closer to Jagan and placed him at the heart of the liquor scam. Vijayasai Reddy stated that Raj handled nearly all the operations behind the scenes.

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Raj Kasireddy hails from Kadapa district, though he and his parents are now based in Hyderabad, where he oversees both his business and political engagements. He is a software developer by profession.

His father, Upender Reddy, recently appeared for questioning before the Special Investigation Team (SIT) established last year to investigate the liquor scam. Sources say Raj was the key person handling financial matters within the YSRCP.

IT Adviser

Raj joined the YSRCP ahead of the 2019 elections in the presence of Jagan Mohan Reddy. After the party came to power, he was appointed as an official IT adviser. Earlier, he served as the party’s NRI cell convener and played an active role during the 2019 campaign.

Though some claim that Raj is distantly related to Jagan Mohan Reddy, no evidence supports this. Media reports, however, describe him as a close associate, both politically and in business circles.

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During the YSRCP’s tenure from 2019 to 2024, Raj served as a key IT adviser, offering inputs on government IT policies and tech projects. There are allegations that he exploited this role to facilitate backdoor operations in the liquor scam.

YSRCP’s NRI cell

Raj played a prominent role in YSRCP’s NRI wing, leveraging his close ties with Jagan. His influence within the party was considerable. However, the liquor scam allegations have severely damaged his political standing. Vijayasai Reddy naming him in the scandal has further intensified political tremors.

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Insiders say Vijayasai Reddy, former Rajya Sabha MP, was the main reason Raj entered the YSRCP, although Vijayasai recently told the media he didn’t know Raj personally and was introduced to him by other senior leaders. Before joining the YSRCP, Raj was running software consultancies in the US.

Arrest in liquor scam

Reports indicate Raj was residing in the Journalist Colony, Hyderabad, along with his parents. SIT notices were served to his mother.

To trace Raj’s whereabouts, the police monitored his father’s phone messages and discovered that Raj was in Goa, leading to his arrest at Shamshabad Airport on Monday (April 21) for his alleged central role in the massive liquor scam during the YSRCP regime.

The case is being investigated by a SIT, which claims Raj was instrumental in managing bribe networks with liquor supply chains and beverage companies. Decisions on which liquor brands to buy and sell, and on which dates, were allegedly made by him. SIT reports estimate bribes amounting to over Rs 3,000 crore, leading to a significant loss to the state exchequer.

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Despite three notices from the SIT, Raj reportedly avoided appearing before it by citing excuses and even challenged the notices in the High Court, which dismissed his plea. The police claim he operated a dedicated office in Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, where he coordinated this network with other YSRCP leaders.

The Aurobindo angle

Aurobindo Pharma allegedly transferred Rs 100 crore to companies linked to the scam. According to Vijayasai, the money was received as a loan by two companies. This raises the question - why take a loan from a private company instead of a bank? Rumours suggest that this financial controversy caused Vijayasai’s rift with the party.

There are whispers that Aurobindo distanced itself from Vijayasai Reddy due to reputational damage. The company, prominent in pharma and construction, faced scrutiny after its name surfaced in this scam and in relation to Kakinada Port assets.

Kasireddy’s film production

Raj Kasireddy also produced the film Spy, released worldwide on June 29, 2023. An action-spy thriller, the plot revolved around a RAW agent uncovering secrets behind his brother’s death and safeguarding the nation, tied to classified files related to Subhas Chandra Bose. Despite its ambitious theme, the film was panned by critics and flopped at the box office.

(This article was originally published in The Federal Andhra Pradesh.)