The ruling TDP has taken swift disciplinary action following the exposure of a large-scale counterfeit liquor racket in Mulakalacheruvu, Thamballapalle constituency, Annamayya district. On Sunday night, the party suspended constituency in-charge Dasaripalle Jayachandra Reddy and local leader Katta Surendra Naidu after close associates were named among the prime accused.
The illegal distillery, operating from a rented facility near the Mumbai–Chennai National Highway, was producing counterfeit versions of popular liquor brands such as Bangalore Brandy and Kerala Malted Whisky. The fake bottles bore authentic-looking labels and scannable barcodes, making them nearly indistinguishable from genuine products.
“The syndicate’s operations were well-planned. They used a milk transport business as cover and instructed drivers to claim they were carrying milk if intercepted,” said an official.
Authorities recovered a diary listing 18 belt shop operators suspected of buying the fake liquor, including a former public representative. Investigations revealed that A1 Janardhan Rao, the main accused, is a close associate of Jayachandra Reddy, while A5 Rajesh, another accused, was reportedly Reddy’s personal assistant.
Kadapa excise deputy commissioner Jayaraju confirmed ten arrests so far, including Surendra Naidu, whose liquor outlet Andhra Wines was raided. Rao is reported to have fled to South Africa, and searches are ongoing in Vijayawada, Ibrahimpatnam, and Mallela village.
During interrogation, Surendra Naidu alleged that Jayachandra Reddy and another local leader, Giridhar Reddy, were also involved. Investigators are now following financial trails and cross-verifying names in the seized diary, considered the key document to dismantle the network.