Amaravati, November 02, 2025: Former Andhra Pradesh minister and YSR Congress Party leader Jogi Ramesh was detained by a Special Investigation Team early Sunday from his Ibrahimpatnam home in NTR district, along with associate Arepalli Ramu, over an alleged ₹3 crore fake liquor operation. The arrests followed a statement from main suspect Addhepalli Janardhan Rao, who claimed Ramesh pledged financial backing to launch a distillery in Africa and suggested partnering with Jayachandra Reddy from Mulakalacheruvu in Chittoor district. Rao alleged production kicked off in Ibrahimpatnam in 2023, during Ramesh's ministerial stint.
The interrogation, including Rao's written account, was recorded on video under court mandate. Police also secured CCTV evidence of Rao visiting Ramesh on September 23, just prior to his Africa trip. The case underscores ongoing scrutiny of illicit alcohol rackets in the state.
