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Time of India
7 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Andhra Pradesh liquor 'scam': Accused planned iron ore biz in Africa; chargesheet hints at money laundering
1 2 VIJAYAWADA: The special investigation team (SIT) probing the alleged Rs 3,500 crore liquor scam has detailed the international trail of Katta Pronnoy Prakash, one of the key witnesses, and other alleged operatives in the case. According to the chargesheet filed by the SIT, Pronnoy's movements between Dubai, India, and several African countries were orchestrated by Chanakya, Raj Kasireddy, and former Chandragiri MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy, who have been named as key accused in the case. The chargesheet states that Pronnoy travelled to Dubai in June 2024, shortly after the election results. It was his first visit to the UAE. The flight tickets for the trip were booked by Chanakya, who, along with his team, was already stationed in Dubai. He initially entered on a visit visa, but managed to obtain a temporary residence visa in Jan this year and started living with Chanakya and another associate, Varun, in an apartment in Dubai. Varun joined the flat around two months after Pronnoy's arrival. The chargesheet reveals that during their stay, Varun disclosed to Pronnoy that he had collected funds from liquor companies and distilleries in Hyderabad. He also mentioned that he was managing the affairs of Leela Distillery under the instructions of Raj Kasireddy, who was the IT adviser for the YSRCP govt. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Global Indices Are on the Move — Time to Trade! IC Markets Learn More Undo Another figure, Kiran Kumar Reddy (A-9), visited them periodically in Dubai, as per the SIT's findings. As per the SIT document, Chanakya and Raj Kasireddy instructed Pronnoy to travel to African countries - specifically Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania - to assess the feasibility of initiating an iron ore business. They assured him that a new mining-related company was being planned under the leadership of Raj Kasireddy and Chevireddy, and promised that Pronnoy would be offered both a salary and equity in the company. Paila Dileep, an associate of the group, booked the tickets through a private travels and sent them to Pronnoy. On Nov 2, 2024, Pronnoy flew to Zambia, where he spent about a month meeting officials from various govt depts to understand the mining operations there. He returned to Dubai in early Dec and returned to India around Dec 4 or 5, 2024. A few days after arriving in India, he was contacted by CID officials who informed him that his name had come up during the interrogation of Chevuri Kiran Kumar. Fearing the repercussions and with his Dubai visa having expired, Pronnoy flew to Thailand, where he met Chanakya again. While in Thailand, he renewed his Dubai visa and subsequently returned to the UAE. The SIT chargesheet further details that while in Dubai, Pronnoy was added to a conference call by Chanakya, which was also attended by Chevireddy. At that time, Chevireddy was in Dubai to meet Gagan Gupta, the CEO of Arise Group, a company responsible for spearheading investment initiatives across African nations. Chevireddy informed Pronnoy that he would be introduced to Nived Shetty, the person overseeing Arise Group's Tanzania operations, who would help facilitate the establishment of the iron ore company. The chargesheet further mentions that Gagan Gupta used to be facilitated VIP darshan at Tirumala and Tirupati whenever he was in India, which were coordinated by Chevireddy. On Jan 13, Pronnoy departed for Zimbabwe. At Dubai airport, he met Manohar Ghorpade, a geologist from Bengaluru based in Australia. As mentioned in the SIT report, Ghorpade was responsible for handling technical aspects of the mining operations. The two of them travelled together within Zimbabwe, conducting feasibility assessments for iron ore extraction. Pronnoy stayed in the country for 17 days. Subsequently, Chanakya directed Pronnoy to travel to Tanzania. The SIT report specifies that on Jan 31, he flew to Tanzania and met Chevireddy, Mohith Reddy, and Cherukuri Venkatesh Naidu, a close aide of the Chevireddy family. The meeting was also attended by Nived Shetty. The SIT chargesheet provides a detailed timeline of Pronnoy's movements and interactions and connects several high-profile individuals and companies to the ongoing investigation into financial misappropriation involving distilleries, offshore investments, and mining ventures. The international scale of the operation - spanning the UAE, India, and multiple African nations - has added new dimensions to the probe. Investigators are expected to further examine the role of travel agencies, digital communication tools, and offshore business contacts as they continue to piece together the financial architecture behind the scam.
Time of India
18-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Coffee Research Institute aims to focus on scientific research
Chikkamagaluru: At a time when one of India's prime institutions, the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI), Balehonnur, is preparing for its centenary celebration, it adopted the motto India's Coffee Surge from Seven Seeds to Seven Lakh Tons. The centenary ceremony will be celebrated in Nov. The centenary celebration logo and theme were unveiled on Friday. Speaking after unveiling the logo, the Coffee Board chairman MJ Dinesh said that in anticipation of India's 100th year of Independence in 2047, the Coffee Board's primary goal is to achieve a leap from seven seeds to 7 lakh tons by 2047. As part of the centenary celebrations in Nov, the Central Coffee Research Institute in Balehonnur will release a new disease-resistant coffee variety, he said. The institute aims to focus on scientific research, farmer participation, and market expansion. Farmers participating in this initiative can benefit significantly, he noted. There is also an aim to enhance coffee value addition, which involves increasing production and reducing maintenance costs, ultimately securing better prices in the domestic market. Training on a diploma in marketing management is being offered at the research centre, he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Better hearing starts here Amplifon Book Now Undo Celebrating its centenary year, CCRI has launched its logo and motto through a scientific movement. Karnataka's coffee has its own history and culture, which needs to be passed on to future generations. To benefit coffee growers, the coffee museum is being renovated and rededicated. Coffee Board secretary M Kurma Rao highlighted that the Balehonnur Coffee Research Centre is a world-class research institution. Sixteen coffee varieties have been developed there, with Chandragiri being the most popular. It is everyone's responsibility to carry this variety forward for the next hundred years while increasing production with quality, he stated. Udupi-Chikmagalur MP Kota Shrinivasa Poojary mentioned discussions in Parliament to exempt coffee cultivation from the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Securities Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI). He met with commerce minister Piyush Goyal about this complex issue. After meeting finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman, a temporary solution was devised to direct banks to halt forced loan recoveries and extend repayment arrangements for six months. Out of 800 indebted coffee growers, 500 settled their loans through a one-time settlement, while 300 are awaiting legislative relief. Discussions with ministers on this matter have taken place, he said. CCRI research division director M Senthil Kumar, Air Deccan founder and progressive coffee grower Capt GR Gopinath, Kodagu Growers Association president A Nanda Belliappa, All India Coffee Curers Association president AN Devaraj, Odisha Coffee Growers Association's Pradeep Kumar Mohanty, Indian Coffee Marketing Cooperative Society president AA Shiva, Karnataka Growers Federation president HB Shivanna, and others were present.
Hans India
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Chandragiri MLA assures support for mango farmers
Tirupati: Chandragiri MLA Pulivarthi Nani visited Mango Nagar in Damalacheruvu of Pakala Mandal on Sunday, where he interacted with local mango farmers and reviewed their issues first-hand. During his visit, the MLA assured the farmers that the coalition government is committed to supporting mango growers across the undivided Chittoor district. He stated that the government is prepared to release nearly Rs 200 crore in dues to benefit mango farmers. 'Farmers need not lose hope. The government will pay an additional Rs 4 per kg for the entire stock, down to the last kilogram,' he said. Nani informed the farmers that he had brought their concerns to the government's attention, which prompted Agriculture Minister Atchannaidu to visit Damalacheruvu recently. He also promised to hold discussions with representatives of mango pulp industries to secure better rates for farmers. To ease logistical challenges, the MLA said special teams have been deployed at procurement ramps to ensure smooth operations. He directed officials from the Horticulture, Agriculture, and APM departments to remain stationed at Mango Nagar and assist farmers promptly. In addition to agricultural concerns, MLA Nani addressed flood-related issues at Ravillavari Palle panchayat of Ramachandrapuram Mandal. He visited the village and inspected the Brahmana Canal, which has been causing flooding in the area. The MLA instructed irrigation and revenue officials to survey the canal immediately and begin preventive works. He announced that projects worth Rs 35 lakh would soon be launched to protect local farmers and residents from future flooding.
New Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
ACB Court remands former Andhra Pradesh MLA Chevireddy, realtor in liquor case
VIJAYAWADA: The ACB Court in Vijayawada on Wednesday remanded former Chandragiri MLA Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy and realtor Cherukuru Venkatesh Naidu to 14 days of judicial custody in connection with the alleged multi-crore liquor scam. Special Investigation Team (SIT) officials arrested Chevireddy and Venkatesh Naidu at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Tuesday while they were attempting to board a flight to Colombo. Investigators brought the duo to the SIT office at the Vijayawada City Police Commissionerate, where they were questioned for nearly four hours regarding their alleged role in transporting unaccounted cash amounting to Rs 250 crore during the 2024 general elections. SIT officials listed Chevireddy as accused number 38, Venkatesh Naidu as accused number 34, and Chevireddy's son Mohit Reddy as accused number 39 in the FIR. SIT counsel argued before the ACB Court that Chevireddy had plans to flee the country and that officials intercepted him just in time. 'Chevireddy used his gunmen and close aides to move large sums of cash from Hyderabad and Vijayawada to constituencies in Prakasam and Chittoor districts. As the YSRCP was in power, he assured protection for safe cash transport and distribution,' stated the remand report. The report added that Mohit Reddy had provided a white Toyota Fortuner (Reg No AP 39 BV 3259) to transport the money, which was allegedly sourced from prime accused Kesireddy Rajashekar Reddy, alias Raj Kesireddy. The SIT linked the seizure of Rs 8 crore from a truck at Garikapadu checkpost in Jaggaiahpeta mandal on May 9, 2024 to Chevireddy's network. 'Kickbacks from liquor sales and distillery shares were diverted for illegal and undemocratic purposes,' it stated. The SIT corroborated statements from drivers and gunmen using call detail records, tower data, and device activity logs.
Time of India
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Minority commission recommends immediate action to resolve dredging uncertainty at Muthalapozhi
Thiruvananthapuram: The minority commission, which took a suo motu case in the Muthalapozhi issue, directed the district administration to take urgent measures to remove the uncertainty in dredging activity and resume sand removal. A sitting was held at the commission's headquarters on Wednesday, which was headed by chairman A A Rasheed. The harbour engineering department informed the commission that dredging operations were carried out using the dredger 'Chandragiri', owned by Kerala Maritime Board, to remove the accumulated sand at the estuary and channel. However, the work was halted due to a malfunction of the dredger after more than half of the work was completed. The authorities stated that they approached the manufacturing company for repairs and were taking steps to resume dredging immediately. Expressing dissatisfaction with the uncertainty in sand removal at the estuary, the commission instructed the harbour engineering department to submit a detailed report, including the details of the contract with the company responsible for sand removal, to the commission urgently. Meanwhile, coastal police informed the commission that the estuary was currently covered with sand, making it difficult for interceptor boats and enforcement boats to conduct patrolling and rescue operations.
