Politically Motivated, Says Kavitha After Getting ED Notice in Delhi Liquor Scam

ADILABAD: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a fresh notice to BRS MLC K. Kavitha in the Delhi liquor scam case asking her to appear on Friday for questioning into her alleged involvement in the scam. She had appeared before the ED on March 16, 20, and 21.

There are strong allegations that Rs 100 core exchanged hands in the scam in which the so-called ‘South Lobby’ played a key role in influencing the government to favour them in the allocation of liquor shops.

Kavitha confirmed that she had received an ED notice, which she said was a 'Modi notice' and a new episode to the never-ending soap opera.

Speaking to the media in Nizamabad on Thursday, Kavitha said that she will go by the party’s legal team’s advice. She said the notice was not something big to be discussed. Moreover, it was politically motivated and there was no need to worry about the notice.

Finance minister T. Harish Rao alleged that the Central government was trying to fix Kavitha in the liquor scam. He further alleged that the Centre is trying to weaken opposition parties.

After the accused Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramachandra Pillai — considered allegedly to be Kavitha’s benami — reportedly turned approver, the ED issued a fresh notice to Kavitha, which assumes political importance.

However, Pillai on Thursday refuted media reports that he had become approver, terming them as “false” and “completely unfounded.” His counsel said he would take legal action against the media houses concerned.

The ED has filed two chargesheets in the case while a third has been filed by the CBI.

Incidentally, all accused, including Magunta Srinivas Reddy, P. Sharath Chandra Reddy, Buchi Babu and Pillai have turned approver. Hyderabad-based businessman Abhishek Boinapalli remains an accused.

Reportedly the information that Pillai has shared with the ED about Kavitha’s role in the scam is likely to change the course of the ongoing investigation.

There are reports that Kavitha may send a letter seeking an exemption from appearing personally before the ED for questioning as she was busy with preoccupied schedules as a public representative.

Already, a petition filed by her is pending in the Supreme Court challenging the ED summoning women to its office for questioning.

The fresh notice issued to her comes amid allegations by the Congress that the Centre had compromised with the BRS and was trying to save Kavitha. Many BJP top leaders went on record saying that the people had started doubting the credibility of the party for not arresting Kavitha.

Kavitha said in Nizamabad said that the BRS was not a ‘B’ team of any political party but an ‘A’ team of people from Telangana and India.

Kavitha said using the ED against opposition parties has become too common a measure by the BJP, especially in poll-bound states. She said the people will teach a lesson to the BJP.

The MLC also participated in some development works taken up in Nizamabad district.