Mumbai Bullion Trader Arrested in Rs 3,500-Crore Andhra Pradesh Liquor Scam Money Laundering Investigation

Chokhara, previously implicated in financial fraud cases, has been taken into police custody for questioning.

Hyderabad:

The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the extensive Rs 3,500 crore Andhra Pradesh liquor scam has apprehended Mumbai-based bullion trader Anil Chokhara.

Identified as A49 in case documents, Chokhara allegedly facilitated the laundering of approximately Rs 78 crore of illicit funds derived from the scam.

Investigators discovered that these funds were purportedly 'cleaned' through a network of 35 fictitious companies and fraudulent gold and silver transactions.

According to the SIT, Chokhara's arrest represents a crucial breakthrough as it establishes a direct financial connection between the scam's illegal proceeds and the primary accused individuals, Kesireddy Rajasekhar Reddy (A1) and Muppidi Avinash Reddy (A7).

Chokhara, who faces additional charges in separate financial fraud investigations, is currently undergoing interrogation while in police custody.

Investigators are confident that his cooperation will help identify the ultimate political figures who benefited from this scandal, which emerged during the previous YSRCP government's administration.

The SIT has implicated several prominent individuals in the case, including YSRCP MP Midhun Reddy, retired IAS Officer and Former Secretary to ex-CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, K Dhanunjaya Reddy (A31), Former OSD to YS Jagan Mohan Reddy Krishna Mohan Reddy (A32), and YSRCP Ex MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, among others. Many of these high-profile accused, including close associates of YS Jagan, have either secured bail or remain in custody.