Karumuri family skips SIT questioning in liquor tender case

Vijayawada: Former minister Karumuri Nageswara Rao failed to appear before the special investigation team (SIT) on Thursday in connection with the ongoing probe into alleged irregularities in liquor transport tenders. SIT officials earlier issued notices directing Nageswara Rao and his son Sunil to attend questioning. However, both did not turn up, citing personal reasons.According to sources, the father-son duo, currently in Hyderabad, informed SIT authorities in advance about their inability to attend. In a letter sent to officials a day prior to the hearing, they requested a week's extension, stating that a family member's illness required their immediate attention. The case pertains to alleged manipulation and irregularities in the awarding of liquor transport contracts. Nageswara Rao has been named as accused No. 7 in the case, while Sunil is also listed among the accused. Keerthi, his daughter-in-law, has also been named. Meanwhile, all three accused approached the high court seeking relief. The SIT is examining multiple aspects of the tender process, including alleged procedural lapses and possible undue advantages. Officials are yet to take a call on the request for additional time.