`Not in position to meet': TRS MLC Kavita not to appear before CBI on Tuesday

Hyderabad: TRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavita has written to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that she will not be appearing to record her statement on Tuesday because of her "preoccupied schedule".

The CBI had issued her a notice seeking clarification after her name figured in the Enforcement Directorate's remand application copy in the Delhi Liquor Policy Scam case.

"I received your e-mail, wherein you stated that the copy of FIR, as well as a complaint, is available on the website. I have carefully gone through the contents of the FIR, the list of accused persons as well as the contents of the complaint dated 22.07.2022. I wish to place on record that my name does not figure in any manner whatsoever," she said in her written reply. "As proposed by you I am not in a position to meet on 6th December 2022, because of my preoccupied schedule, I will be able to meet you either on the 11th, 12th or 14th, or 15th of this month whichever is convenient to you at my residence in -Hyderabad. The same may please be confirmed at the earliest."

She said she was a law-abiding citizen and will cooperate with the investigation. "I will meet you on any of the above-said dates to cooperate with the investigation. It is made clear that this is without prejudice to my legal rights available under the law," she said.

Why CBI issued a notice?

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.

Investigation into Delhi Liquor Policy Scam has revealed that TRS MLC Kalvakuntla Kavitha, 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.