“We have already examined K Kavitha on April 6 in excise case”: CBI to Delhi Court

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) informed the Delhi court that BRS leader K Kavitha was examined on April 6 in Tihar Jail in connection with the excise policy case. Kavitha had challenged the permission granted to the CBI to question her in jail, but the CBI counsel stated that they had already examined her.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja adjourned the matter to April 26 for arguments on Kavitha’s application. Kavitha’s counsel expressed the desire to argue the application but mentioned that they had not yet been provided with a copy of the CBI’s response.

In her plea, Kavitha stated that the CBI had filed a plea without her knowledge, and she feared that the CBI might not have disclosed all the facts to obtain a favorable order. She requested the court to withhold its order until she had the opportunity to present her side.

Earlier, on April 5, the Delhi Court had allowed the CBI’s plea to examine K Kavitha during her judicial custody in Tihar Jail on any day of the coming week. The CBI sought permission to question Kavitha regarding WhatsApp chats recovered from Buchi Babu’s phone and documents related to a land deal, post which 100 crores were allegedly paid to Aam Aadmi Party in kickbacks.

“K Kavitha, a Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC, was sent to judicial custody until April 23, 2024, by the Rouse Avenue Court. She was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case,” the ED said.

“The ED arrested K. Kavitha MLC, Telangana Legislative Council, on March 15, 2024, in the case of the alleged liquor policy scam. The ED’s investigation revealed that K. Kavitha conspired with AAP leaders to gain favors in the Delhi Excise policy formulation and implementation, allegedly paying Rs. 100 crore to AAP leaders in exchange,” the ED added.

“Assets worth Rs. 128.79 crore, generated from the alleged illegal funds, have been traced so far and attached through provisional attachment orders. The CBI inquiry was recommended based on findings of prima facie violations in the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010,” the ED stated.

“The probe agencies alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy, extending undue favors to license holders, waiving or reducing license fees, and extending L-1 licenses without proper approvals. The alleged irregularities led to an alleged loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer,” the ED added.