Andhra liquor scam: Key accused arrested after return from Dubai

The SIT of the Andhra Pradesh Police arrested Eshwar Kiran Kumar Reddy, a key accused in a multi-thousand-crore liquor scam that occurred under the previous YSR Congress Party administration, according to a source familiar with the matter. The accused had been evading capture for two years prior to his arrest at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, where he returned from Dubai via Sri Lanka on Monday night.

He was subsequently handed over to the SIT for further investigation and produced before the Vijayawada ACB court on Tuesday night, where he was granted 14-day judicial custody. Kiran Kumar Reddy was allegedly involved in the creation of shell companies to siphon off kickback money generated through the liquor distribution network.

He left for Dubai in November 2024 following an intensified probe by the Telugu Desam Party-led coalition government, subsequently issuing a Look Out Circular against him. As of now, 12 people have been arrested in the case. Kiran Kumar Reddy moved the Supreme Court for anticipatory bail, which was denied on July 30, 2025, compelling him to surrender before the investigating authorities.

The SIT charged him with laundering proceeds from the liquor scam in its charge sheet filed on July 19, 2025. The SIT also alleged that Kiran Kumar Reddy, along with prime accused Raj Kesireddy, floated shell companies to divert illicit commissions from liquor transportation and procurement operations. Kesireddy, the former IT advisor to the Andhra Pradesh government during Jagan Mohan Reddy's administration, is currently in jail.

Born in Tirupati, Kiran Kumar Reddy graduated from IIT Kharagpur in engineering. He is also under investigation for liquor transportation irregularities and money laundering by the Enforcement Directorate.