The Special Investigation Team (SIT) has said that Balaji Govindappa played a key role in the multi-crore liquor scam that took place during the YSRCP regime. It has been revealed that he is an important person in this ‘syndicate’ and the closest person to the former chief minister Jaganmohan Reddy’s family. That is why, it said that he played a key role in this scam at every stage.
Balaji Govindappa (A-33), who was arrested on Tuesday at a wellness center in the forest area of ChamarajaNagar district in Karnataka, was produced before the Vijayawada ACB court by the SIT officials on Wednesday. The court remanded him till the 20th of this month. With this, the authorities took him to Vijayawada jail.
The remand report mentioned “Balaji Govindappa is one of the directors of Bharathi Cements. He is the one who arranges the financial affairs of the company. Bharathi Cements is a company run by the family of YS Jaganmohan Reddy. He used to look after financial dealings of former chief minister’s wife Bharathi. Balaji played a key role in taking bribes on behalf of the liquor syndicate. He played a key role in the planning of the liquor scam.”
It was explained that Balaji often discussed key issues with Raj Kasireddy (A1), and would come to his office in an empty car and fill it with bribe money received from liquor companies. It was said that the crores of rupees taken in the cars were diverted to shell companies and real estate businesses in Karnataka.
It was revealed that Balaji also benefited immensely personally by collecting commissions and giving them to the actual beneficiary. It was revealed that he had purchased a large amount of real estate, luxurious buildings and cars in the last five years.
“In the previous government, YSRCP leaders, top government officials and liquor traders together caused a loss of thousands of crores of rupees to the state treasury. Balaji was close to Kasireddy Rajasekhar Reddy, the main conspirator in the liquor scam. Balaji also played a key role in suppressing famous liquor brands and promoting unknown brands that had offered bribes,” the SIT revealed.
