ED summons K Kavitha in excise policy scam probe

In an ongoing probe surrounding the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha, daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, to its Delhi office this Friday. This development follows a series of interrogations at the ED headquarters where Kavitha had previously handed over her mobile phones to the agency in March.
The focus of the investigation is the controversial 2021-22 Delhi excise policy which allegedly fostered cartelisation and favoured certain liquor traders who purportedly secured licences through bribery. Despite the ruling Aam Aadmi Party’s refutations, the policy was rescinded. Consequently, a probe spearheaded by the CBI was recommended by the Delhi lieutenant governor.
Kavitha denies any wrongdoing, linking the BJP-led Centre’s probe to political manoeuvres. Her statement contests the allegations leveraged against her, which are partly based on an accountant linked to her, Butchibabu, who purported that there was a “political understanding” between her and Delhi’s chief and deputy chief ministers. Further, Hyderabad businessman Arun Ramchandra Pillai, identified as a close associate of Kavitha and accused in the case, rejected claims of being an approver in the probe, terming them “false” and “completely unfounded.” Pillai is prepped to initiate legal actions against media houses for disseminating what he terms as “fake news” to influence the case.
The investigation, now also scrutinised under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), hints at potential irregularities in the modification of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, which allegedly extended undue benefits to licence holders. Initiated in November 2021, the policy was discontinued in September 2022 amid growing corruption allegations.