Inside the Andhra Liquor Scam: How a Shadow Network Pulled Powerful Names Into Its Web

The story of the fake-liquor scam now gripping Andhra Pradesh isn’t just about one arrest — it’s about how an entire underground network survived in plain sight.

For months, investigators have traced a steady flow of illegal liquor moving across districts like Krishna, Guntur, and East Godavari. Bottles resealed, fake labels printed, and spurious spirits sold under the guise of trusted brands. The profit margins were staggering — small-time brewers made quick cash, but the real money, officials say, moved higher up.

That’s where the case caught fire. When former minister Jogi Ramesh’s name surfaced, it sent political shockwaves through the state. He’s long been a familiar voice in YSRCP circles — a man known for loyalty and sharp defence of his party. Now, investigators are piecing together financial links said to cross ₹3 crore, raising questions about whether political influence helped the racket stay untouched for so long.

People close to the case hint that the operation wasn’t a sudden setup. Local sources talk about quiet deals — officials turning away, small factories running at odd hours, and liquor moving under police escort. It’s the kind of corruption that doesn’t roar; it hums beneath everyday life until something snaps.

Meanwhile, the opposition sees an opening. The TDP has been quick to brand this as proof of rot within the ruling party, while YSRCP leaders counter that it’s a politically timed attack meant to weaken their base ahead of next year’s polls.

For the public, none of that matters as much as the toll — cheap liquor has claimed dozens of lives across the state in recent years. Families who lost loved ones to spurious bottles now watch this drama unfold with quiet anger, wondering if justice ever reaches beyond headlines.

The SIT is tightening its circle, and more arrests seem likely. But whether this turns into a clean-up or just another political tug-of-war depends on what comes next — transparency or tokenism.

In the end, the liquor scam isn’t just about alcohol. It’s about power, silence, and the price people pay when both mix too easily.