Delhi excise policy case: BRS leader Kavitha appears before ED

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC and Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao's daughter, K Kavitha today deposed before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in New Delhi in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

The investigating agency is expected to confront her with an arrested accused and record her statement in connection with its money-laundering probe in the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, according to reports. The agency will also record Kavitha's statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The 44-year-old Telangana MLC arrived at the federal agency's headquarters on APJ Abdul Kalam Road from her father's official residence on Tughlak Road, located about 1.5 kilometres away, around 11 am. The federal agency had earlier asked Kavitha to depose on March 9, but upon her request, ED rescheduled the questioning for today.

According to reports, Kavitha will be made to sit face-to-face with Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramchandra Pillai, who was arrested in connection with the liquor policy case on Monday night. Pillai allegedly is one of the key persons in the entire scam involving payments of huge kickbacks and the formation of the biggest cartel of the South Group that comprises Telangana MLC Kavitha, Sarath Reddy (promoter of Aurobindo Group), Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy (MP, Ongole), his son Raghav Magunta, and others. The South Group was being represented by Pillai, Abhishek Boinpalli and Butchi Babu, the federal agency investigation has revealed.

There was a heavy presence of Delhi Police and central paramilitary forces personnel for barricading the ED office even as the supporters of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader staged a protest on APJ Abdul Kalam Road, news wire agency PTI reported.

Kavitha launched a hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in the national capital demanding the introduction of the Women's Reservation Bill in the current Budget session of Parliament.

Former Delhi deputy CM Manish Sisodia has been arrested by ED in the same case.

The case relates to the excise policy that was passed by the Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi Cabinet in the middle of the deadly Delta Covid-19 pandemic in 2021.

The CBI had filed a case against alleged corruption in the case. The excise policy was subsequently withdrawn by the AAP government.

Excise officials, liquor company executives, dealers, unknown public servants and private persons have also been booked in the case.

It was alleged that irregularities were committed including modifications in the Excise Policy and undue favours were extended to the license holders including waiver or reduction in licence fee, an extension of L-1 license without approval etc.