Court Grants CBI Permission to Question K Kavitha in Tihar Jail Over Liquor Policy Case

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Friday allowed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to interrogate Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha in custody regarding the Delhi liquor policy issue. Ms Kavitha was arrested last month by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is probing the alleged money laundering aspect of the case.

Initially, the CBI, which initiated the inquiry into the liquor policy case, approached the Rouse Avenue courts in Delhi seeking permission to interrogate Ms Kavitha. The agency highlighted her non-compliance with previous notices and summons for questioning, stressing the necessity to extract information based on the evidence collected during the investigation. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja approved the petition.

Ms Kavitha, also a Member of the Legislative Council in Telangana, was arrested by the ED on March 15 following a raid at her Hyderabad residence. The agency alleges her involvement in a group known as the ‘South Group’, purportedly involved in providing ₹100 crore in kickbacks to AAP leaders. These kickbacks were allegedly exchanged for members of the group securing a share of the profitable liquor market in Delhi under the new excise policy, boasting substantial profit margins.

Having been remanded to judicial custody for 14 days on March 26, Ms Kavitha is presently housed in Tihar jail. She has filed an urgent plea for interim bail citing her minor son’s upcoming exams, with the court reserving its decision on the matter.

Ms Kavitha has vehemently refuted the allegations against her, labelling them as false and fabricated. Furthermore, she has accused the BJP of engaging in political laundering, alleging that one of the implicated individuals had contributed funds to the party via electoral bonds.

In addition to Ms Kavitha, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, former deputy Manish Sisodia, and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh have also been arrested in connection with the case. While Mr Singh secured bail on Tuesday, the others remain in custody.