The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into the Delhi excise policy probe by filing a fresh charge sheet, marking the seventh in the ongoing case. The latest development involves the naming of K Kavitha, a prominent leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, as an accused. This move comes amidst a series of arrests and legal actions surrounding the alleged conspiracy related to the Delhi excise policy 2021-22.
K Kavitha’s involvement in the case dates back to her arrest on March 16 from her residence in Hyderabad. The ED’s actions gained momentum as they also apprehended Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on March 21 in connection with the same case. However, Kejriwal has not been named in the latest charge sheet, indicating a separate supplementary charge sheet expected to be filed against him by next week.
The federal agency’s probe revolves around allegations of a conspiracy involving Kavitha, Kejriwal, and former deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia to favor a South Group of businessmen and politicians under the Delhi excise policy. It is alleged that AAP leaders received substantial bribes from this group, with Kejriwal purportedly utilizing a significant portion of these funds in AAP’s election campaign in Goa in 2022.
The charge sheet against Kavitha has been filed under relevant sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), adhering to the stipulated period of 60 days from her arrest. The court is set to review the charge sheet’s cognizance on May 13, marking a critical phase in the legal proceedings.
Other individuals named in the charge sheet include Chanpreet Singh, allegedly involved in managing AAP’s funds sourced from kickbacks during the Goa assembly elections, along with Damodar Prasad Sharma, Prince Kumar, and Arvind Kumar Singh. These individuals were previously named in a charge sheet filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is conducting a parallel corruption probe into the excise policy.
The ED’s investigation has so far led to 18 arrests, including prominent figures like Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Kavitha. The agency has filed multiple charge sheets against 34 individuals and entities, presenting substantial evidence in court to support their allegations in the excise policy probe.
An ED officer emphasized that K Kavitha played a pivotal role in orchestrating a deal with Kejriwal and Sisodia, facilitating kickbacks through intermediaries to influence policy decisions in favor of the South Group. The alleged conspiracy involved complex financial transactions aimed at concealing the involvement of political leaders.
The South Group, comprising businessman Sarath Reddy, politician Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, and K Kavitha, secured significant benefits under the Delhi excise policy, raising concerns about the fairness and transparency of the policy formulation process. The ED’s investigation sheds light on alleged kickbacks amounting to ₹100 crore, advanced to AAP leaders, with implications on governance and electoral integrity.
Sources By Agencies
