K Kavitha, the leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), made an appearance in court on Friday morning at Rouse Avenue after being detained by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in relation to a suspected liquor policy fraud. The Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal was approached by a spirits businessman from the “South Group” who was looking for support with his business. Kejriwal allegedly promised this support, and the CBI used this evidence to request a five-day jail detention for Kavitha. Significant evidence, the CBI alleged, including statements from people connected to the case and conversations on WhatsApp.
The central probe agency elaborated, stating, “Dinesh Arora, an accused turned approver, confirmed in his statement that Abhishek Boinpally informed about the transfer of Rs 100 crores to Vijay Nair. Statements from Hawala operators corroborate payments totaling Rs 11.9 crores. Chats recovered from Buchibabu indicate her involvement in a partnership with Indospririts. Despite being blacklisted, licenses were allegedly granted to Indospririts due to pressure from accused Manish Sisodia.”
Kavitha, daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao, was arrested by the CBI while already in judicial custody for a money laundering case. The CBI arrested her on Thursday for her alleged involvement in the liquor policy scam under sections of criminal conspiracy and falsification of accounts, among others.
Previously, on April 6, Kavitha was examined by the CBI in Tihar Jail in connection with the case. The CBI informed Special Judge Kaveri Baweja that they had already conducted the examination on April 6 and opted not to file any further reply.
The Delhi Court had granted permission on April 5, 2024, for the CBI to examine Kavitha during her judicial custody in Tihar Jail at any time during the ensuing week. Through their application, the CBI sought court authorization to interrogate Kavitha and record her statement regarding WhatsApp chats recovered from Buchi Babu’s phone and documents related to a land deal allegedly involving a payment of Rs 100 crores to the Aam Aadmi Party in kickbacks.
On Tuesday, the Rouse Avenue Court remanded K Kavitha to judicial custody until April 23, 2024. This came after her recent arrest by the Directorate of Enforcement in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy.