YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy was arrested at Bengaluru International Airport by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) while allegedly trying to escape to Sri Lanka. Chevireddy, listed as Accused No. 38 in the massive Andhra Pradesh liquor scam, was accompanied by his benami aide, Venkatesh Naidu (34), at the time of arrest. Both were detained moments before boarding their flight, marking a crucial development in the ongoing probe.

The liquor scam, rooted in the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy administration, came into sharp focus after a seizure of ₹8 crore by the Election Commission before it could reach a YSRCP candidate in Prakasam district. The SIT traced the money back to Chevireddy, who allegedly played a central role in funneling illicit liquor money into the party's 2024 election campaigns. The arrest is part of a larger investigation into election-related financial corruption and illegal fund mobilization.

SIT findings reveal that Chevireddy had access to ₹285 crore from Raj Kasireddy, the prime accused in the scam, and was tasked with overseeing YSRCP’s campaign operations across six districts. Funds were allegedly used not just for his own campaign in Ongole but also to support his son, Mohith Reddy, in Chandragiri. Both were accused of distributing liquor and cash to influence voters.

Several others were named in the charge sheet, including Mohith Reddy (A39), Chevireddy’s personal assistant Naveen (A36), and driver Harish (A37). An outsourced AP Beverages Corporation employee, Balaji Yadav (A35), is also implicated, pointing to deep-rooted collusion between political and government entities.

Chevireddy will be produced before the ACB court in Vijayawada, where the SIT is expected to request custody for extended interrogation. His arrest marks a significant turning point in the scam, which is rapidly emerging as one of the most substantial election-related corruption cases in Andhra Pradesh's political history.