Tense scenes unfolded early this morning in Ibrahimpatnam, NTR District, as police surrounded the residence of former minister and senior YSRCP leader Jogi Ramesh.
A large police force arrived at his house before dawn, triggering a major political uproar.
According to reports, the police action is linked to an ongoing fake liquor manufacturing case, and it is being widely speculated that officers have gone there to arrest Jogi Ramesh.
However, officials have not yet issued an official statement.
It is known that massive illegal liquor dumps were recently unearthed in Ibrahimpatnam and Mulakalacheruvu.
The main accused in the case, Janardhan Rao, who is currently in police custody, released a video statement claiming that the fake liquor was produced on the instructions of Jogi Ramesh — allegedly to tarnish the image of the Chandrababu Naidu-led government.
He further accused Ramesh of abandoning him after the case surfaced.
Adding to the controversy, Janardhan Rao had told investigators that his phone was lost, yet managed to release the video while still in custody; raising serious questions about how it was recorded and circulated.
Meanwhile, Jogi Ramesh has strongly denied all allegations, claiming that Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and his son, Minister Nara Lokesh, are trying to falsely implicate him in the fake liquor case.
He recently took a public oath before Goddess Kanaka Durga in Vijayawada, swearing in front of his family that he had no connection whatsoever with the illegal liquor racket.
He even challenged Chandrababu and Lokesh to take a similar oath if they were truthful.
In this tense backdrop, police surrounding Jogi Ramesh’s house has sparked intense speculation. YSRCP leaders allege that the police operation is politically motivated and aimed at arresting him.
More details are expected to emerge shortly.