BRS Leader K Kavitha First Response, Denounces 'Illegal' ED Arrest Amidst Delhi Excise Policy Scandal

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha criticized her arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as 'illegal', asserting that she would contest it vigorously before being presented in Delhi's Rouse Avenue court.

The arrest took place at 5:20 pm on Friday at her residence in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, stated the central agency.

BRS Leader K Kavitha First Response

An ED investigation officer mentioned in the arrest memo, "I believe that Smt. Kalvakuntla Kavitha w/o Mr. D R Anil Kumar, residing at H. No. 8-2316/S/H, Road No 14, Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, Telengana-500034 has been guilty of an offence punishable under the provision of Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (15 of 2003)."

Kavitha, daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, marks the third high-profile leader to face arrest in the case, following Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, who are already in custody.

According to the ED, Kavitha is allegedly linked to a 'South Group' lobby of liquor traders seeking to exert influence in the now-defunct Delhi excise policy. Vijay Nair, one of the accused, purportedly received kickbacks worth at least ₹100 crore on behalf of AAP leaders from the 'South Group', reportedly under the control of Sarath Reddy, Kavitha, and Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy.

This development follows nearly two months after the ED issued a summons to the 45-year-old BRS leader. Kavitha had undergone questioning three times last year in this case, with the central agency recording her statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Previously, Kavitha had also been interrogated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concerning the same case.