The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha as part of the ongoing investigation into the Delhi excise policy case. The arrest follows allegations that Kavitha was involved in paying substantial kickbacks to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to secure favourable terms in the excise policy.
On Friday, the CBI requested the court for K Kavitha’s custodial interrogation to further investigate her alleged role in a larger conspiracy involving the formulation and implementation of the excise policy. According to the CBI, Kavitha failed to provide satisfactory answers during initial questioning about the financial transactions purportedly meant as kickbacks to AAP.
The investigation details shared by the CBI reveal complex financial interactions, including a payment of Rs 14 crore by one of the companies under the Aurobindo Group, which is connected to the case. Additionally, Kavitha is accused of demanding Rs 25 crores from Sarath Chandra Reddy for excise policy favours, allegedly threatening adverse consequences for non-compliance.
The case took a significant turn when the Delhi Excise Policy was abruptly withdrawn, leading to further scrutiny of the money trail and alleged upfront payments made by Kavitha amounting to Rs 100 crores. These funds were reportedly intended to influence the excise policy to benefit certain business entities.
The CBI's findings suggest that K Kavitha and her associates aimed to recover these payments and generate additional illegal profits through the policy’s manipulations. This has led to allegations of a substantial financial scheme involving top AAP leaders, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, who are accused of accepting the kickbacks.
Further complicating the matter, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also been actively involved, leading to K Kavitha’s earlier arrest and subsequent judicial custody. The ED’s investigation aligns with the CBI's findings, highlighting alleged corruption and conspiracy in the excise policy’s formulation and implementation, which purportedly led to illegal gains for AAP.
To date, the ED has filed multiple complaints and has attached assets worth Rs. 128.79 crore believed to be connected with the proceeds of the alleged crimes. These developments underline the extensive nature of the investigation and the serious implications for all parties involved.
As the case progresses, both the CBI and ED continue to uncover the layers of this alleged conspiracy, aiming to bring clarity and justice to one of the most significant corruption cases involving political figures and policy manipulation in recent times.
Follow us
