The Aryavarth Express
Agency(New Delhi): In a development that could spell further troubles for the kin of the ex-Chief Minister of Telangana, K Chandrashekar Rao, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has recently put forth allegations against a nephew of BRS leader K Kavitha. They claimed that he played a part in the illicit transfer of funds linked to the Delhi excise policy money laundering scandal. The ED shared this information with the special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court under Judge Kaweri Baweja in Delhi, following the execution of searches at Meka Sri Saran’s residence last Saturday. This move came to light after Kavitha’s involvement was hinted at during her interrogation over the preceding week.
Kavitha, a 46-year-old Legislative Council member and daughter of K Chandrashekar Rao, found herself under the ED’s custody since March 15. Her arrest led to her being brought before the court last Saturday for a custody extension, which was granted till March 26. During her court appearance, Kavitha voiced to journalists that her case was baseless and fraudulent, condemning the arrest of numerous political figures during election times as an assault on democracy, urging the Election Commission to intervene.
The ED has accused Kavitha of being a central figure in the ‘South Group,’ allegedly responsible for transferring kickbacks amounting to Rs 100 crore to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in exchange for a considerable share of the liquor licenses in Delhi. This accusation is part of the broader inquiry into the excise policy for 2021-22, which has been terminated amid allegations of corruption.
Further into their investigation, the ED seized a mobile device from Saran during a raid at Kavitha’s residence in Hyderabad and revealed his failure to respond to questioning summons. The probe uncovered Saran’s role in managing the crime proceeds linked to Indo Spirits, a venture allegedly established through a conspiracy involving Kavitha, YSRCP MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, his son Raghav Magunta, and liquor mogul Sameer Mahandru.
The ED’s persistence in interrogating Saran and Sameer Mahandru underscores their attempt to unravel the intricacies of this financial misconduct, including the involvement of Kavitha, who has been characterized as evasive during interrogations. This case forms part of the broader investigation into the alleged corruption and money laundering activities surrounding the Delhi government’s excise policy for the fiscal year 2021-22, implicating several AAP leaders, including Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, who are currently in judicial custody.