In a significant move, the Andhra Pradesh government officially announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) on Monday. This crucial team has been tasked with diving deep into the disturbing allegations surrounding spurious liquor cases, which were initially brought to light by the Mulakalacheruvu and Bhavanipuram Excise police departments.
Leading this formidable four-member SIT is Inspector General of Police (IGP) G.V.G. Ashok Kumar from the Eluru Range. He is joined by a cadre of experienced officials, including P&E Director of Enforcement Rahul Dev Sharma, CID Superintendent of Police K. Chakravarthi, and SP Technical Services Mallika Garg. Together, these high-ranking officers will spearhead the investigation into these critical incidents.
The SIT will operate under the direct oversight of the Prohibition and Excise (P&E) Commissioner, ensuring accountability and adherence to established protocols. To facilitate a comprehensive inquiry, the team has been granted the authority to enlist additional officers from both the Excise and Police departments, as well as to request any pertinent information from other government agencies.
Operating as a fully-fledged police force under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), the SIT is empowered to conduct a thorough investigation into cases falling under the AP Excise Act. A key directive from the government mandates that the SIT provide fortnightly progress reports on their investigations, delivered through the Prohibition and Excise Commissioner, to maintain transparency and track the expeditious resolution of these cases.