On April 11, 2024, Central Bureau of Investigation arrested Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha in connection with the Delhi liquor scam. Ms. Kavitha was already in judicial custody in Delhi’s Tihar jail following her arrest by the Enforcement Directorate.
Kavitha, former MP and the daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao has been under investigation for her alleged involvement in a corruption case linked to the Delhi excise policy scam.
What are the charges?
The CBI’s move to arrest Kavitha comes after it questioned her about WhatsApp chats recovered from a co-accused’s phone and documents related to a land deal. The investigation alleges that kickbacks worth ₹100 crore were allegedly paid to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders to swing the excise policy in favor of a liquor lobby.
The CBI’s investigation was prompted by the Delhi Chief Secretary’s report filed in July, which showed violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR) 1993, Delhi Excise Act 2009, and Delhi Excise Rules 2010. The allegations include irregularities in the modification of the excise policy, undue favors to license holders, and the refund of the earnest money deposit to a successful tenderer against set rules.
The ED and the CBI have alleged that a continuous stream of illegal funds in the form of kickbacks was generated for the AAP through acts of corruption and conspiracy in framing the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
The CBI will now produce Kavitha before a court on Friday to seek her remand.