CBI places BRS MLA K Kavitha under arrest in Delhi excise policy case

Kavitha was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam on March 15.

New Delhi: The CBI on Thursday placed BRS leader K Kavitha under arrest in connection with a corruption case linked to the Delhi excise policy scam after obtaining permission from a court here.

The 46-year-old daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was lodged in Tihar Jail following her arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam. She was arrested from her Banjara Hills residence in Hyderabad on March 15.

The CBI is likely to seek her custody on Friday. If the court allows CBI custody, investigators will move her from Tihar to CBI headquarters where she will be questioned. On Saturday, CBI had questioned her in Tihar following a special permission from the court.

CBI officials said she was asked about WhatsApp chats recovered from co-accused Buchi Babu's phone and documents related to a land deal after which Rs 100 crore was allegedly paid to the AAP in kickbacks to swing the excise policy in favour of a south India-based liquor lobby.

The ED has alleged that Kavitha is a key member of the ‘South Group’, which has been accused of paying kickbacks to the AAP.

On Tuesday, a court had extended her judicial custody by two weeks.

Kavitha was earlier denied interim bail, with the court saying that prima facie she not only destroyed evidence but was also instrumental in influencing witnesses and there is “every likelihood” of her continuing to do so in case the relief is granted.