Delhi Excise Policy Scam: KCR’s daughter Kavita to appear before ED on March 11, summons linked to her protest

delhi excise policy scam BRS MLC and Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s daughter K Kavitha, who was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Delhi liquor scam, said she would appear before the probe agency on March 11. On Wednesday, Kavita said that she would appear before the Enforcement Directorate in New Delhi on March 11, 2023.

Kavitha has been summoned by the agency to confront her with Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramachandran Pillai, an alleged frontman of the “South Group”, who was arrested by the ED on Monday.

The agency will record Kavita’s statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) during this confrontation. Pillai is in ED’s custody and the agency had earlier said that he “represents the South Group”, an alleged liquor cartel linked to Kavitha and others.

The BRS leader said she would fully cooperate with the probe agency but would seek legal opinion on the date of her statement in view of the proposed dharna in Delhi on March 10 in support of the Women’s Reservation Bill.

Kavita links Saman to her upcoming sit-in for the Women’s Reservation Bill

She tweeted, “ED has summoned me on March 9 ahead of our March 10 dharna with opposition parties and women’s organizations demanding Women’s Reservation Bill at Jantar Mantar.”

Kavitha said “these intimidation tactics” against her father and Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s fight, and the BRS would not stop them.

The ED has Pillai’s custody till March 12. He will be produced again in a Delhi court on March 13.

south group behind liquor scam in delhi

According to the agency, the “southern group” includes Sarath Reddy (promoter of Aurobindo Pharma), Maguntha Sreenivasulu Reddy (YSR Congress MP from Ongole Lok Sabha seat), Kavitha and others.

The ED also alleged in Pillai’s remand papers that he “represented Benami Investments” of Kavitha in the case.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has already questioned the BRS leader in this matter. It has been alleged that the Delhi government’s excise policy of granting licenses to liquor traders for 2021-22 allowed cartelization and favored some dealers who allegedly paid bribes for this, an allegation in the ruling by the Aam Aadmi Party. The party (AAP) strongly denied here.

The policy was later scrapped and the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi recommended a CBI probe, following which the ED registered a case under the PMLA.

“… I have been summoned by the ED to appear in Delhi on 9th March. As a law abiding citizen, I will fully cooperate with the investigating agencies. However, due to dharna and prior appointments, I will Will see opinion. on the date of joining,” said BRS MLC Kavitha.

Earlier, a Hyderabad-based chartered accountant named Buchibabu Gorantla, who was believed to be Kavitha’s former auditor, was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the same case.

The CBI in a statement on Wednesday (February 8) said that the accused CA has been arrested for his alleged role in framing and implementing the Delhi Excise Policy and for causing undue favor to Hyderabad-based wholesale and retail licensees and their beneficial owners.

Learn more about the Liquor Policy issue:

The Delhi government says the policy was formulated to ensure maximum revenue and eliminate the sale of spurious liquor or non-duty paid liquor in Delhi, apart from improving user experience. The probe was conducted in view of a report by the Chief Secretary to Delhi Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena recommending a CBI inquiry into the matter.

Following the LG’s recommendation, the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police has issued a notice to the Excise Commissioner of Delhi asking him to provide all documents related to grant of liquor license under the new excise policy.

Also, former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia was arrested in connection with the alleged excise policy scam. Last year, several raids were also conducted at several places in Delhi and the National Capital Region, including at Sisodia’s residence and the premises of four public servants.

(with inputs from agencies)

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