In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) legislator K Kavitha in Hyderabad in connection with alleged kickbacks paid to leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the controversial 2020-21 excise policy of Delhi. Kavitha, who is the daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, is the third high-profile leader to be arrested in this case.
The arrest comes amidst legal challenges, with Kavitha family and senior BRS leaders arguing that it is in contempt of court. The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear an appeal related to the case on March 19.
Kavitha arrest follows interrogation by the ED and accusations of non-compliance with summons issued by the probe agency. Notably, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, also linked to the case, has skipped multiple ED summonses and is due to appear before a magistrate’s court in Delhi on March 16.
The arrest was made under dramatic circumstances at Kavitha’s residence in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. Despite objections from Kavitha’s brother KT Rama Rao, the ED carried out the arrest. Kavitha has been accused of being part of a cartel that allegedly paid kickbacks to AAP leaders in exchange for business opportunities under the Delhi excise policy.
While Kavitha has denied the allegations, the ED maintains that she played a key role in the irregularities surrounding the excise policy. The arrest has sparked political controversy, with the BRS alleging misuse of federal agencies by the central government ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Kavitha arrest marks a significant development in the ongoing probe into the excise policy case, with further legal and political ramifications expected to unfold in the coming days.
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