In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) Headquarters office has apprehended Smt K Kavitha, a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) from Telangana, on March 15, 2024, in connection with the Delhi Liquor Policy Scam. The Hon’ble Special PMLA Court, New Delhi, has granted ED seven days of custodial interrogation for K Kavitha until March 23, 2024, as per the order dated March 16, 2024. Additionally, a search was conducted at Ms K Kavitha’s residence in Hyderabad on the same day. However, the search proceedings were obstructed by the relatives and associates of Smt K Kavitha.
ED’s investigation has unearthed a complex web of corruption and conspiracy involving Ms K Kavitha and others, including top leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) such as Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia. It is alleged that they conspired to manipulate the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy for the fiscal year 2021-22 in exchange for hefty bribes. Reportedly, Rs. 100 Crore was paid to the AAP leaders in return for favorable policy decisions. This scheme resulted in a continuous flow of illegal funds, generated as kickbacks from wholesalers to the AAP.
Additionally, it is alleged that Smt K Kavitha and her associates were engaged in retrieving the illegally obtained funds paid in advance to the AAP. They are also accused of profiting from the illegal conspiracy. The ED’s inquiry has extended nationwide, conducting searches at 245 locations, spanning Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai, and other regions. Noteworthy, 15 individuals, including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Vijay Nair from AAP, have been apprehended in relation to the case.
To date, the ED has filed one Prosecution Complaint and five Supplementary Complaints related to the scam. Furthermore, assets worth Rs. 128.79 Crore, traced as proceeds of crime, have been provisionally attached as per the orders dated January 24, 2023, and July 3, 2023, issued by the Adjudicating Authority, New Delhi.
The arrest of Smt K Kavitha marks a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Delhi Liquor Policy Scam, shedding light on the alleged nexus between politicians and corruption in policymaking.
