NEW DELHI: Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court extends BRS leader K Kavitha’s custody to the Enforcement Directorate until March 26. The ED sought a five-day extension of Kavitha’s custody, citing the need to confront her with statements she provided and her alleged role in a bribery conspiracy worth millions.
The agency claimed to have confronted K Kavitha with statements from four individuals and a May 2023 FSL report. They are also analyzing mobile data and need to confront her with that information. A person whose mobile was seized during the investigation has been summoned multiple times but has not appeared before authorities.
ALSO READ: Kejriwal won’t resign; We’re moving Supreme Court: Atishi after ED arrest
K Kavitha told the media that her arrest was politically motivated and urged the Election Commission to intervene, noting the arrest of several political leaders during elections. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is already in ED custody, raising the possibility of confrontation between the two leaders.
The ED officially stated that K Kavitha conspired with top AAP leaders including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia to gain favors in the formulation and implementation of Delhi’s Excise policy, allegedly paying Rs 100 Crore to AAP leaders in exchange. The agency alleged a continuous stream of illegal funds from wholesalers to AAP due to corruption in the policy’s formulation and implementation.
ALSO READ: Kejriwal row? SC rejects Centre review on ED’s arrest grounds to accused
K Kavitha was arrested on March 15 in connection with the Delhi Liquor Policy Scam. The ED conducted searches at her residence in Hyderabad but faced obstruction from her relatives and associates. So far, the ED has searched 245 locations across the country and arrested 15 individuals, including AAP members Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Vijay Nair. They have filed one Prosecution Complaint and five Supplementary Complaints.
Assets worth Rs. 128.79 Crore have been traced and attached, confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority, New Delhi. AAP denied ED’s claims, accusing the agency of spreading false information through the media.