In a recent development, K Kavitha, a prominent figure associated with the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), found herself under scrutiny as she was sent to three days of CBI remand by the Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi. This decision came in connection with the ongoing excise policy case, where the CBI had initially sought a longer period of five days for her custodial remand.
Kavitha, who is not only a leader within the BRS but also the daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, was taken into custody by the CBI while she was already in judicial custody in a separate case handled by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The CBI, in its remand application, emphasized the necessity of Kavitha's arrest for conducting a thorough interrogation to uncover the broader conspiracy related to the formulation and execution of the Excise Policy. They highlighted the importance of confronting her with evidence and witnesses to trace the money trail of illicit funds and to establish the involvement of other individuals, including public servants, in the alleged wrongdoing.
One of the key points raised by the CBI was a significant payment made by a company under the Aurbindo Group, totaling Rs 14 crore, in July 2021. This transaction was flagged as part of the investigation, with details indicating a transfer of Rs 7 crore each in two separate installments.
Furthermore, the CBI revealed instances where Kavitha allegedly demanded large sums of money from individuals associated with retail zones, citing her influence in shaping the excise policy and claiming to have made payments to other parties on their behalf.
In response to the remand application, Kavitha's legal team vehemently opposed the move, arguing that her arrest lacked proper approval and violated established legal procedures. They emphasized her standing as a sitting Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) in Telangana and accused the investigation of being politically motivated, particularly in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
This development comes after Kavitha's earlier arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on March 15 in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. The probe by both the ED and the CBI stems from findings indicating violations of various laws and regulations governing the excise policy, including the GNCTD Act 1991 and the Delhi Excise Act-2009.
Allegations of irregularities, undue favors, and financial misconduct have been raised, with authorities pointing to instances where rules were allegedly flouted, resulting in substantial losses to the exchequer. The investigation continues to unfold, shedding light on the complexities surrounding the excise policy and its implementation.
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