ACB registers more cases in AP liquor scam

The agency has registered six more cases regarding the fraud (like traders having liquor licenses in name of PDS card holders), allegedly committed in auction of liquor shops in the districts of Srikakulam, East Godavari, Nellore, Chittoor, Kadapa and Kurnool.

A division bench of the Andhra Pradesh High Court yesterday expressed displeasure over the manner in which the liquor auctions were being conducted in the state.

The ACB probe has created a stir in the state with the instances of the involvement of some bigwigs coming to the fore.

A statement issued by ACB in this regard today said that though the agency is aware of "financially sound people owning white ration cards" that is not the focus of the investigation. "This irregularity will be taken care of by the district administration," it said.

"ACB applied this primary filter only to initiate investigation and reach the core offenders who obtained licences in the name of innocent people with an intention to gain control over liquor trade in the districts," the release said.

ACB learnt that in some districts, the "core offenders" asked the innocent people to go on 'pilgrimage' and be not available for investigation, the statement said, adding that the local elders are requested to counsel them not to be afraid of ACB but to assist in investigation. (More) PTI SJR NSK