Spurious liquor racket: Excise police arrest former Minister and YSRCP leader Jogi Ramesh, two others

The Prohibition and Excise (P&E) department police arrested former Minister and YSR Congress party leader Jogi Ramesh, his brother Jogi Ramu and Ramesh’s assistant, Arepalli Ramu in the alleged spurious liquor racket.

A team of Excise police cordoned the house of Jogi Ramesh, at Ibrahimpatnam on Vijayawada outskirts in the early hours on Sunday (November 2, 2025) and arrested the trio in the case.

The P&E Police registered cases in Bhavanipuram police station in Vijayawada and Mulakalacheruvu in Annamayya district, a few days ago, for allegedly manufacturing and selling spurious liquor.

Investigation officers allege that Addepalli Janardhana Rao, his brother, A. Jaganmohan Rao, and few others were involved in the racket. The Excise police raided the distillery units and Liquor outlets, allegedly being run by the gang in both the districts.

The State government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by Eluru Range Inspector General of Police (IGP) G.V.G. Ashok Kumar to probe the case in detail.

Mr. Janardhana Rao, who was arrested in the case reportedly gave a statement to the investigation officers alleging that the former Minister instigated the crime and was behind the racket.

Mr. Ramesh assured to extend support for the illegal operation, provide support in all aspects and encouraged manufacturing of spurious liquor, Mr. Janardhana Rao had alleged.

The Excise police shifted the former Minister, his brother and assistant to Prohibition and Excise East Police Station, located at Gurunanak Colony.

Meanwhile, tension mounted in Ibrahimpatnam when followers of Jogi Ramesh staged a dharna at the latter’s house protesting the arrests.

Activists of YSRCP staged a protest at the East Excise Police Station too.