Delhi Excise Policy Case: CBI Summons BRS Leader K Kavitha On February 26
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued summons to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha on Wednesday and asked her to appear before the agency on February 26. The summons was in connection with the investigation into the Delhi excise policy case 2021-22. K Kavitha is the daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister KCR and a former Lok Sabha MP.
This is the second time Kavitha has been asked to appear before the central investigation agency. In December last year, she was questioned by CBI at her Hyderabad residence. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is conducting a parallel money laundering investigation has questioned her in March 2023.
According to central probe agency, Kavitha as a part of South Group, had allegedly involved with the AAP government, then Delhi deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and others in devising the excise policy. The federal agency claims that BRS leader was in touch with AAP’s then-communication in-charge Vijay Nair, who was meeting businessmen from the liquor industry and politicians at the time of excise policy formulation and implementation. ED also alleges that she made benami investments in Indospirits which controlled multiple retail zones in Delhi under the excise policy. The federal agency questioned BRS leader about allegations concerning bribery and money transfers in the scam, where it was stated that Rs 100 crore changed hands.
Regarding the now-scrapped excise policy for 2021–22, it is alleged that irregularities are found in it and it has favoured several liquor dealers. Based on the report of the chief secretary of Delhi government, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recommended a CBI probe in July last year. ED has submitted a report to the apex court, and as per the chargesheet the liquor policy changes made by the AAP government has resulted in gain of at least Rs 338 crore for wholesale distributors, who has returned the favour by funding election campaign in Goa;
The federal agency claimed that Rs 1,000 crore of proceeds of crime were generated in the liquor scam of which it had established a money trail of over Rs 500 crore.
Earlier in relation with the case, Senior AAP leader and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and another AAP leader, Sanjay Singh, have been arrested. AAP supremo and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has been issued sixth summons by the federal agency in the same case; however, he has not appeared before the agency yet.
