India: CBI arrests BRS leader K Kavitha in connection with Delhi liquor policy scam

Bharat Rasthra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha was on Thursday (Apr 11) arrested by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over her alleged involvement in a corruption case that is further connected to the Delhi excise policy scandal, said the officials.

Former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao's daughter Kavitha was imprisoned in Delhi's Tihar Jail following her arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that took place on March 15.

After obtaining permission from a special court, the CBI officialsinterrogated Kavitha inside the jail over the WhatsApp chats that were recovered from co-accused Buchi Babu’s phone.

She was also questioned by the probe agency regarding the documents about a land deal in whichRs 100 crore was purportedly paid to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in kickbacks to sway the excise policy for Delhi to the advantage of a liquor lobby.

Kavitha pens note from jail to Delhi court

The BRS leader penned a note from prison on Tuesday (Apr 9) alleging that the probe by the central agencies has meddled with her reputation and has also invaded her privacy.

" Madam Justice, as the whole nation witnessed, the past two and a half years of "Never Ending", ED and CBI investigation has turned into a media trial. Being a woman politician, I am the most victimized in the process, severely denting my personal and political reputation. My personal mobile phone number was displayed on all television channels, directly invading my privacy," the letter stated.

"After two and a half years of failed investigation, ED arrested me on March 15, without any proof, just based on statements and right before the elections. Despite giving an undertaking of no coercive action in the Supreme Court, they arrested me," it added.

The letter further claimed that more than 90 per cent of the cases of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) were filed against the opposition leaders and that the investigation is abruptly put to a halt once the accused joins the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"On the floor of the Parliament, BJP leaders openly threaten opposition saying "Chup ho jaao, warna ED bhej dunga." In this dire situation, Madam Justice, the opposition parties are looking up to the judiciary with great hope to give us respite," Kavitha said in her letter.

"I have time and again cooperated with both the agencies. I have appeared before them four times. I have answered all their questions to the best of my knowledge and gave all my bank and business details. I will fully have cooperated with the agencies by submitting all of my mobile phones that the agencies blamed me for destroying. In the last two and a half years of investigation, both the agencies conducted multiple raids, physically and mentally harassed, threatened and arrested many people," shefurther alleged.

Kavitha was arrested following a raid at her Hyderabad residence by the ED in March.

(With inputs from agencies)