Delhi excise policy scam: ED names P Sarath Chandra Reddy in 2nd chargesheet

HYDERABAD: The Enforcement Directorate on Friday filed a second prosecution complaint (supplementary chargesheet) against five persons, including Aurobindo Pharma director P Sarath Chandra Reddy and Hyderabad-based businessman Abhishek Boinpally, and seven companies in the Delhi excise policy scam.
The ED had earlier named chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao's daughter and MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha in the first chargesheet.The second chargesheet was filed in the Rouse Avenue court in Delhi.
Apart from Sarath Reddy and Abhishek, ED named the then AAP media promotion in charge Vijay Nair, Pernod Ricard International Brands general manager Benoy Babu and businessman Amit Arora as accused.
ED alleged in the chargesheet that Sarath Reddy was a major beneficiary of the Delhi excise policy scam. It further alleged that Sarath Reddy was controlling five retail zones through his Trident Chemphar Private Ltd company and proxy entities like Organomix Ecosystems Private Limited and Sri Avantika Contractors Ltd in violation of the excise policy, that barred any person from controlling more than two retail zones.
ED also alleged that Sarath Reddy and Abhishek were the key partners in the 'South Group cartel' of manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers.
It alleged that Vijay Nair, on behalf of AAP leaders, received kickbacks to the tune of ₹100 crore from the South Group whose prominent persons, it said, were K Kavitha, YSRC MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, his son Raghav Magunta and Sarath Reddy. Abhishek arranged ₹ 20 crore through hawala route at the behest of liquor manufacturers belonging to the South Group, ED said in the chargesheet.
The central agency accused Sarath Reddy of destroying the evidence. "Sarath Reddy had actively planned and conspired with various business owners and politicians and indulged in unfair market practices to gain an undue advantage in the Delhi excise policy," ED said.
ED had filed its first chargesheet on November 26, 2022, against liquor trader and MD of Indospirit Group Sameer Mahendru, and four firms, including IndoSpirit. In the chargesheet, ED mentioned that Kavitha had indirect stake in IndoSpirit. ED and CBI had already arrested some of the accused, who are in judicial remand now.