Hyderabad: In the first case of corruption charge against Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, a city civil court today (Dec 12, 2003) directed the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to investigate a complaint against Naidu, former Excise Minister T Nageshwar Rao and 12 others regarding alleged irregularities in the purchase of liquor by the state-owned Beverages Corporation.

Based on a complaint by N Krishna Kumar Goud, a Congress functionary, the Principal Special Judge for ACB cases S Ananthasayana Prasad directed the ACB Director General to probe the charge that "excess" amount to the tune of Rs 550 crore was paid to some distilleries in the purchase of liquor between 1997 and 2000.

Seeking action under section 13 of Prevention of Corruption Act, Goud, who is the joint convenor of APCC (Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee) Legal Cell, filed a complaint before the special court yesterday (Dec 11) alleging that the Beverages Corporation had purchased liquor from some leading distilleries at a rate almost double than those prevailing in neighbouring Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The Judge directed the ACB Director General to investigate the case and submit a report to the court by January 29 next year.

PTI