Govindappa Balaji, believed to have close ties with YS Bharathi, reportedly played a pivotal role in the large-scale money movement that occurred under the garb of the state’s liquor business during the previous administration. The arrest took place in Mysore, Karnataka, where Balaji had been staying while evading SIT notices issued for questioning. Following his arrest, the police are preparing a transit order to shift him to Andhra Pradesh, where he will be subjected to further interrogation. This arrest did not come as a surprise to many following the case closely. Balaji had earlier sought anticipatory bail from the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which was promptly denied. Subsequently, he approached the Supreme Court, only to face another rejection. Despite these legal setbacks, he refused to appear before the SIT when summoned, which ultimately led to today’s dramatic arrest.
The SIT has been working steadily, following leads and building a strong case against individuals allegedly linked to the scam, many of whom are politically influential. The systematic efforts of the team have so far yielded important arrests that suggest the scam was not only financially massive but also involved a web of political connections and laundering routes. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken note of the case and has already requested detailed documentation from the Andhra Pradesh police. This indicates that the matter could soon escalate to a central level financial investigation. If the ED begins parallel inquiries, it would expand the probe’s reach and could potentially bring several more influential names under scrutiny.
The AP liquor scam appears to be much larger than initially anticipated. With each arrest, the scale and coordination of the alleged fraud become clearer. The SIT's latest move is being hailed as a breakthrough, and if ED enters the scene, it could unlock more layers of this complex financial scandal. With more developments expected in the coming weeks, political circles in Andhra Pradesh are on edge. The implications of these arrests could reshape public perception of the previous government’s functioning and intensify legal troubles for several high-profile individuals allegedly involved in the scam.
