Click to play videoHyderabad: CNN-IBN has accessed documents that expose the full extent of the liquor scam in Andhra Pradesh. Reportedly, not only have excise and police officials taken bribes to allow the illegal liquor business to flourish, they also loaned money to the tune of Rs 2 crore to the mafia to carry on the trade.
The documents reveal that in Srikakulam district, between September 2010-December 2011, excise officials received bribes worth more than Rs 3.58 crore. The officials, then, re-invested Rs 2.44 crore back in the illegal liquor trade, as "loan" to wine shop owners.
Shockingly, a head-constable alone, gave Rs 53 lakh on loan to the liquor syndicate.
In Nellore district, Rs 22 lakh was paid as bribe to one inspector of the excise department. In Prakasam district, liquor dealers repaid Rs 37 lakhs to two excise inspectors towards principal and interest amount of one year.
Nearly 23 FIRs have been registered and 10 excise officials suspended till now in connection with the case. The biggest embarrassment is the fact that the state's excise minister was named by an accused for taking bribes. Sources say two more Cabinet ministers, several legislators and top politicians are being probed.
The documents that reveal the full extent of the scam only embarrass the state government further.
However, as links to top politicians from the ruling Congress are being probed, police officers say they are under tremendous political pressure to halt the probe. This raises a question mark over whether the case will proceed against the most powerful names in AP politics.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
 |
 |
 |
|
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
