Vijayawada: In a significant development in the ongoing probe into the alleged liquor scam that unfolded during the previous YSRCP government, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) has issued summons to retired IAS officer Dr. Rajat Bhargava. The former bureaucrat has been directed to appear before investigators on Friday at the SIT office in Vijayawada.
Dr. Bhargava, who held prominent roles such as Special Chief Secretary for Excise, Industries, and Finance, is being called for questioning regarding his administrative decisions and alleged involvement in enabling irregularities in liquor procurement and distribution during his tenure.
SIT Focuses on Government Orders and Alleged Syndicate Links
Sources in the SIT disclosed that Dr Bhargava’s name surfaced during the examination of official files, correspondence, and policy clearances, which are now under scrutiny for facilitating a liquor monopoly. The probe is looking into government orders that allegedly gave preferential treatment to private liquor syndicates, allowing them to dominate distribution and influence pricing.
These syndicates reportedly benefited from artificially inflated liquor prices, restricted access to competing brands, and administrative loopholes — all of which are being investigated as part of the broader corruption and mismanagement allegations.
Bureaucrats and Politicians Under the Lens
Dr. Bhargava is among several high-ranking officials whose roles are being examined in connection to what investigators describe as a systemic effort to consolidate liquor sales through select players, allegedly involving kickbacks and revenue losses to the state.
The SIT has already questioned former excise officials and top bureaucrats, and officials confirmed the investigation will likely expand further as more layers of the scandal emerge.
Losses to State and Suspected Collusion
Preliminary findings indicate that the alleged scam caused significant losses to the state exchequer while enabling a closed network of private firms to flourish. Investigators are mapping the trail of decisions and administrative approvals that could point to collusion between officials and liquor suppliers.
The probe also includes a forensic audit of revenue flows, pricing orders, and policy shifts implemented during the YSRCP’s rule.
