Delhi Liquor Scam: Kavitha changed phone device 10 times, Sarath Reddy changed 9 times to destroy evidence, says ED

Investigation into Delhi Liquor Policy Scam has revealed that TRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha, whose name figured in Enforcement Directorate (ED's ) remand report, changed the device of her both phone numbers 10 times.

Likewise, Hyderabad-based Aurobindo Group Managing Director P Sarath Reddy, who was earlier arrested by ED, reportedly changed his phone device nine times. Reddy's name too figured in ED's remand report. ED said the accused and suspects destroyed digital evidence to impede the investigation.

"An attempt was also made to see that the evidence about the commission of this scam running into thousands of crores was either destroyed which would contain valuable digital data and material to prove further kickbacks," ED said.

Pertinently, major evidence related to liquor scam were stored in digital formats both on mobile phones and laptops, However, as soon as the scam was unearthed and the case was handed over to investigating agency, a large number of digital devices were found to be destroyed or changed by the suspects.

According to ED, at least, 36 accused and suspects involved in the scam have destroyed or used 170 phones (as per IMEI analysis).

ED said its sleuths have been able to recover 17 out of 170 phones. The agency said otherwise, the kickbacks could have been much more and the involvement of other important persons would have surfaced more clearly.

"Even in these phones, data was found to be deleted/formatted. It is in this background and hardship that the ED had to investigate. Despite this, incriminating material has been unearthed through the arduous process of extraction and examination of numerous devices," ED said.

In Short

There is no earthly reason for the suspects to change their mobile phones, specifically the phones that were used during the period of the scam.

Further, most of the suspects have also changed their phone devices from May to August 2022 which indicates that the evidence available before the period (including the period of policy formulation and implementation) was destroyed or not retrievable.

The magnitude of the destruction is such that most suspects, liquor barons, senior government officials, Delhi Excise Minister, and other suspects have changed their phones multiple times. The approximate value of the devices used and destroyed comes to whooping Rs. 1.38 crore approximately. (as per open source information w.r.t. the make and model of the devices as per IMEI numbers found in CDR).

Accused Amit Arora has used/changed/destroyed his mobile phone 11 times indicating destruction of evidence. The details of the digital devices (as per IMEI analysis of the CDRs) destroyed/used in the last one year by various accused/suspects are summarised as under.

Meanwhile, trouble seems to be mounting for TRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha after her name figured in the Enforcement Directorate (ED's) remand report of the Delhi Liquor Policy Scam accused Amit Arora.

ED has named Kalvakuntla Kavitha as one of the key members of the 'South Group'. ED said as per the investigation carried out so far, arrested businessman Vijay Nair, on behalf of AAP leaders, at least received kickbacks to the tune of Rs. 100 Crore from a group, called 'South Group' (controlled by Sarath Reddy, K Kavitha, Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy). The same has been disclosed by Amit Arora in his statements.

ED has arrested Amit Arora, a Gurgaon-based director of Buddy Retail, and charged him with taking undue advantage. Arora was produced before the court which sent him to ED custody for 14 days.