SIT formed to probe alleged irregularities in APSBCL

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) coalition government in Andhra Pradesh, led by Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu, has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe alleged irregularities and corruption in the Andhra Pradesh State Beverages Corporation Limited (APSBCL) during the tenure of the previous YSR Congress government.

The SIT, comprising seven senior police officers and led by Vijayawada police commissioner Rajasekhar Babu, is expected to expedite the investigation and ensure accountability. The director general of police, Andhra Pradesh, in a letter to the government, referenced Cr.No.21/2024 u/s 420, 409, 120-B IPC, which was registered in the CID Police Station on September 23, 2024, based on a complaint filed by the principal secretary to the Government, Revenue (VIG.IV) Department.

The complaint, detailed in Government Memo No. Rev-01/CPE/20-2024-VIG-IV dated September 20, 2024, alleged financial mismanagement and corrupt practices in APSBCL from October 2019 to March 2024. Following a careful review of the proposal from the DGP, the State government has officially constituted the SIT to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter.

In an official order, the Andhra Pradesh government has appointed Vijayawada Commissioner of Police Rajasekhar Babu as the SIT chief, with other key members including Red Sandalwood Task Force SP Subbarayudu, additional SPs Kolli Srinivas and Srihari Babu, DSP Srinivas, and circle inspectors Shivaji and Naga Srinivas.

The seven-member team has been granted full authority to scrutinize the financial and administrative operations of APSBCL during the specified period. Additionally, the government has granted the SIT the power to seize records and relevant documents to facilitate the investigation.

The Andhra Pradesh CID had earlier registered a case concerning the alleged financial irregularities in APSBCL under the previous administration. While an inquiry was already underway, the DGP had proposed the formation of an SIT to accelerate the process.

The government has now directed the Excise Department to fully cooperate with the SIT and furnish all required reports promptly. As part of its mandate, the SIT is required to submit progress reports on the investigation every 15 days. The government has further stipulated that the SIT will function under the direct supervision of the CID DIG. The State government has emphasized the need for the probe to be concluded at the earliest and has instructed the SIT to submit its final report through the CID director general without delay.