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Alongside Ramesh, his close aide Arepalli Ramu was also detained and shifted to the Bhavanipuram Police Station for interrogation
Former Andhra Pradesh Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Jogi Ramesh. (Image via X/@JogiRameshYSRCP)
Former Andhra Pradesh Minister and YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Jogi Ramesh on Sunday was arrested in connection with a spurious liquor case, sparking political uproar across the state.
A joint team of the Excise Department, Special Investigation Team (SIT), and local police detained Ramesh from his residence in Ibrahimpatnam, NTR district, early in the morning. He was later taken to the Excise Office in Guru Nanak Colony, Vijayawada, for questioning.
Alongside Ramesh, his close aide Arepalli Ramu was also detained and shifted to the Bhavanipuram Police Station for interrogation. Sources said the arrest was made following key evidence obtained during the custodial interrogation of Addepalli Janardhana Rao, the prime accused in the case, The Times Of India reported.
Rao, who had earlier been remanded to SIT custody, reportedly revealed that the illegal liquor network had been active since the YSRCP regime and claimed that Ramesh had extended both financial and political support.
According to investigators, Rao told officials that Ramesh had assured him of help in case of losses, promising up to Rs 3 crore in financial assistance. The SIT also found evidence suggesting that Ramesh had instructed Rao to operate spurious liquor units in Mulakalacheruvu, Annamayya district. Investigators added that when Rao was abroad in Africa, Ramesh allegedly disclosed details of the liquor network for reasons that remain unclear.
YSRCP Accuses TDP Of Cover-Up
Soon after the arrest, the YSRCP alleged that the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) government, led by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, orchestrated the arrest to divert public attention from the Kashi Bugga temple stampede, which claimed nine lives, including that of a child.
ప్రతిపక్షంపై కక్ష సాధింపుకోసం ప్రభుత్వం నడుపుతున్నారా? జోగి రమేష్ అరెస్టు కోసం వందల మంది పోలీసులను పెట్టడం మీద ఉన్న శ్రద్ధ ఆలయాల వద్ద భక్తులకు భద్రత కల్పించడంపై లేదా?-చెల్లుబోయిన వేణుగోపాలకృష్ణ గారు, మాజీ మంత్రి, తూర్పుగోదావరి జిల్లా వైయస్ఆర్ సీపీ అధ్యక్షులు#TDPAntiBC… pic.twitter.com/LVKp0Af1Mk
— YSR Congress Party (@YSRCParty) November 2, 2025
The party, in a social media post, blamed government failure for the tragedy and accused the TDP of using Ramesh’s arrest as a distraction from the public outrage over the incident and the government’s poor response to Cyclone Michaung.
Speaking to the media while being escorted to the Excise Office, Jogi Ramesh denounced his arrest as illegal and politically motivated, accusing the coalition government of vendetta politics, News18 Telugu reported.
Meanwhile, Ramesh’s son Jogi Rajeev condemned the arrest, stating that police acted without prior notice. He demanded a CBI inquiry into the case and challenged the authorities to conduct a lie detector test to prove his father’s innocence.
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
Andhra Pradesh, India, India
November 02, 2025, 16:26 IST
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