KCR daughter K Kavitha arrested by CBI over alleged kickbacks in Delhi excise policy scandal

K Kavitha, the daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao (KCR) and a prominent leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inside Tihar Jail in connection with a money laundering case.

This arrest is tied to an investigation into the Delhi liquor policy, where Kavitha is accused of being involved in paying substantial kickbacks to secure favorable outcomes in liquor licensing.

K Kavitha was initially taken into judicial custody last Tuesday, following her March 15 arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) at her residence in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad. The CBI’s recent questioning in Tihar Jail came after a special court granted them permission to interrogate her concerning her alleged role in the “South Group.” This group is accused of facilitating a ₹100 crore payment to the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi, in exchange for a significant share of the liquor licenses.

The investigation into Kavitha intensified after the recovery of WhatsApp chats from Buchi Babu’s phone, a co-accused in the case, and documents related to a land deal purportedly connected to the illicit payment. The interrogation on Saturday focused on these elements, aiming to unravel the intricacies of the alleged excise policy manipulation.

The gravity of the accusations has led K Kavitha to express concerns over what she describes as a “media trial” that has damaged her personal and political reputation. In a heartfelt letter to the court, read by her lawyer, Kavitha claimed to be a victim of an invasive investigation by central agencies. “My personal and political reputation has been targeted. My mobile phone is displayed on all television channels, directly invading my privacy,” she stated. Kavitha affirmed her cooperation with the investigative agencies, committing to hand over any requested mobile devices and bank account details.

The arrest of K Kavitha represents a significant development in the ongoing investigation into corruption and money laundering within India’s liquor licensing policies. This case highlights the challenges of political corruption and the importance of maintaining transparency and legality in government dealings, particularly in sectors as sensitive as liquor distribution. The implications for K Kavitha and the BRS are profound, potentially affecting political careers and the broader political landscape in Telangana and Delhi.

As this high-profile case unfolds, it draws attention to the need for rigorous enforcement of anti-corruption laws and the role of judicial and investigative bodies in upholding integrity within political and commercial arenas. The outcome of this case could have lasting repercussions on the governance of liquor policies and the accountability of public officials in India.