SIT Grills Former Andhra Deputy CM Narayanaswamy at Tirupati Residence in Liquor Scam Probe
Tirupati, August 22 – Officials of the Special Investigation Team (SIT), probing the alleged liquor scam in Andhra Pradesh, questioned former Deputy Chief Minister K. Narayanaswamy at his residence in Puttur, Tirupati district, on Friday.
Mr. Narayanaswamy, who served as the Excise Minister in the previous YSR Congress government, had earlier been summoned to appear before the SIT in Amaravati on June 17. However, he skipped the appearance citing health issues. A proposal for an online examination through video conferencing also failed due to what officials termed “technical grounds.”
On Friday, the SIT team arrived at his residence to serve fresh summons and to press for his cooperation in the ongoing investigation. Officials reportedly questioned him at length over his possible role in amendments made to the State’s liquor policy during the previous administration.
Sources clarified that Mr. Narayanaswamy has not been named as an accused in the case. Instead, investigators are said to be recording his version as a witness to understand the policy changes and their implications.
Meanwhile, speculation about his possible arrest spread rapidly, drawing large numbers of media personnel and political leaders outside his residence. The sudden buzz triggered tension in the area, as police personnel were deployed to maintain order.
The SIT continues its probe into the alleged irregularities in liquor licensing and sales, which opposition parties claim caused massive financial loss to the State exchequer.