The Enforcement Directorate made headlines on Friday as they apprehended K Kavitha, a prominent figure in the BRS, following an extensive raid at her residence in Hyderabad. She was then transported to Delhi for interrogation regarding a money laundering case associated with the now-defunct Delhi excise policy. Kavitha, aged 46 and a member of the Telangana Legislative Council, was taken into custody by the central investigative agency at 5:20 pm from her home in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, as per the arrest memo.
Accompanied by her husband, D R Anil Kumar, Kavitha arrived at the agency's headquarters in central Delhi around midnight, where she is expected to remain overnight. This marks the third high-profile arrest in connection with the case, following the apprehension of AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh. Notably, her arrest occurred just a day before the anticipated announcement of the Lok Sabha election schedule.
Transported via commercial flight to Delhi, Kavitha is slated to appear before a designated PMLA court on Saturday, where the agency will seek her remand for further interrogation. However, Kavitha's legal team has raised objections, citing an ongoing petition against the ED summons scheduled for a hearing in the Supreme Court on March 19.
During the raid, ED officials recorded that approximately 20 individuals entered Kavitha's residence, causing disruption and delaying proceedings. Furthermore, the officials seized five mobile phones as part of their search operation. Despite previous summons, Kavitha had declined to cooperate, citing protection from coercive action as per a Supreme Court directive.
In response to the arrest, BRS leader and former Telangana minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy criticized the move, labeling it as "pre-planned," and pledged to protest against it. Additionally, BRS working president K T Rama Rao and former minister Harish Rao, along with numerous party supporters, gathered at Kavitha's residence, expressing dissent.
A video circulated by the BRS depicted Kavitha's brother and party working president K T Rama Rao engaged in a heated exchange with ED officials, alleging violation of a Supreme Court undertaking. Rao accused the agency of denying access to family members even after the conclusion of the search.
In a social media post, Rao denounced the ED's actions, emphasizing the need for justice and legal recourse. Reacting to Kavitha's arrest, senior BJP leader and Union Minister for Tourism G Kishan Reddy defended the ED raids as part of their ongoing inquiry into the case.
The Enforcement Directorate had previously implicated Kavitha in connection with a "South Group" lobby of liquor traders involved in manipulating the now-abolished Delhi excise policy. The agency alleged kickbacks amounting to at least Rs 100 crore were received by one of the accused, Vijay Nair, on behalf of AAP leaders from the said group.
During questioning, Kavitha maintained her innocence, accusing the Centre of orchestrating the arrest for political motives. The "South Group," which includes individuals like Sarath Reddy and Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, was alleged to have orchestrated benami investments, according to the ED.
The ED's investigation into the Delhi excise policy has sparked controversy, with the AAP strongly refuting allegations of bribery and cartelization. Following the policy's annulment, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi recommended a CBI probe, prompting the ED to register a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
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