Delhi Liquor Scam: ED summons BRS MLC Kavitha for questioning on Mar 9

Hyderabad: Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned BRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha for questioning in the Delhi Liquor Scam case. The MLC has been asked to appear before the investigating agency on March 9. Earlier, Hyderabad businessman Arun Ramachandra Pillai was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate. He continues to be in custody.

Arun and Kavitha’s connect :

Arun’s name in the FIR opened a can of worms. CBI began a rigorous investigation and carried out multiple searches in Hyderabad. The next to be hunted down was Boinpally Abhishek Rao. Abhishek Rao is a confidant of a top TRS leader and a business partner of another co-accused in the Delhi liquor policy scam, Arun Ramachandra Pillai.

Abhishek and Arun are co-directors of Robin Distribution LLP Company which was incorporated in July 2022. Investigation revealed that it was a ghost company that existed only on paper. A resident of Kokapet in Hyderabad, Arun is among the 17 booked by the CBI. He reportedly was a courier who used to collect “undue pecuniary advantage” (money) from Sameer Mahendru (co-accused) of Indo Spirit and give it to the accused public servant through Vijay Nair.

Abhishek (the son of one of the sisters of Anoos Beauty Parlour) was lobbying for several liquor barons. “Abhishek was questioned for his association with Sameer Mahendru. CBI’s probe found that Abhishek Rao was acting as a south lobby and committed irregularities through cartelization. He accepted Rs. 3.85 crores from Sameer. In his defence, he cited it as a loan,” sources told NewsMeter.

Investigation revealed that Abhishek had collected Rs. 3.85 crores from co-accused Sameer Mahendru to pay a "commission" to the government officials. The money was supposed to be routed through his ghost company Robin Distribution.

Kavitha response to ED's summon:

Responding the the summon given by the ED, Kavitha said, "The Women's Reservation Bill has been long-pending; our only demand is to table it in parliament to give women their due share of political participation. Bharath Jagruthi, along with opposition parties and women’s organisations from all across the country, will come together on March 10 at Jantar Mantar, for a one day peaceful hunger strike, demanding the BJP government to introduce & pass the Women’s Reservation Bill. In light of these events, I have been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate to appear on March 9 in New Delhi"

"As a law-abiding citizen, I will fully cooperate with the investigation agencies. However, due to the Dharna and prefixed appointments, I’ll seek legal opinions on the date of attending it," Kavitha said.

She further said, "I would also like the ruling party at the Centre to know that these tactics of intimidation against the fight and voice of our leader, CM KCR, and against the entire BRS Party will not deter us. Under the leadership of KCR Garu, we will continue to fight to expose your failures & raise voice for a brighter and better future for India Let me also remind the power mongers in Delhi that Telangana has never and will never bow before the oppressive anti people regime. We will fearlessly and fiercely fight for the rights of the people".