Hyderabad: Putting a bundle of papers, purported to be the statements of several accused, in front of BRS MLC K. Kavitha, officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) allegedly tried to obtain leads in connection with an alleged `100-crore deal between the AAP leaders and the South Group to formulate Delhi Excise policy in the latter’s favour.
The ED officials, including teams of deputy director Bhanupriya Meena and assistant director Yogender, questioned Kavitha on the first day of questioning at the ED office in Delhi.
The ED officials have reportedly asked Kavitha a few questions to get leads to establish the role of Kavitha in the case. The BRS MLC, however, was understood to have maintained silence and refused to answer their questions.
When the ED officials also reportedly asked about her association with Arun Ramachandran Pillai, the BRS MLC appears to have said that Arun is a family friend. “Immediately, the officials reportedly showed the statement of V. Srinivas, who is a relative and a family friend of Kavitha. In his statement which was recorded on September 19, 2022, Srinivas reportedly said that he gave Rs 1 crore to Arun Pillai on the instructions of Kavitha. “This amount was used by Arun Pillai to pay his nominal investment in Indo Spirit.”
The Investigation agency also allegedly questioned Kavitha about her chartered accountant Gorantla Buchi Babu. In his statement, which was recorded on February 28, 2023, Buchi Babu revealed that there was a political understanding between Kavitha and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia. "Out of the deal, Kavitha got a partnership in Indo Spirit in the name of Arun Pillai in exchange of the funds that she had paid to Vijay Nair and the AAP leaders. Indo Spirit got the distribution business of the most profitable liquor manufacturer Pernod Ricard.”
As Kavitha maintained silence on the first day, the investigation agency is likely to question Kavitha for the second day on Monday along with Arun Pillai, Buchi Babu, Abhsihek Boinapally, and other accused in the case.
BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao and senior leader T. Harish Rao visited Delhi on Sunday and went to the ED office to meet Kavitha. The court directed the ED officials to allow family members and advocates to meet Kavitha between 5 pm to 6 pm every day. It was reported that Rama Rao and Harish Rao inquired with Kavitha about the questioning.
The counsel for Kavitha on Monday is likely to file a contempt petition before the Supreme Court finding fault with the ED officials for arresting her as her petition is pending before the Supreme Court. Rama Rao and Harish Rao also interacted with their legal teams.
