Former CM KCR’s daughter Kavitha arrested by ED

The Enforcement Directorate made headlines on Friday with the arrest of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC and daughter of KCR, Kavitha, in connection with the Delhi liquor scam case. Sources reveal that she is being escorted to Delhi by the ED following the raid conducted at her Hyderabad residence as part of a money laundering investigation.

This development unfolds after the Supreme Court had granted Kavitha protection from arrest until March 13 in relation to the alleged scam. Despite fresh summonses issued by the probe agency on February 21, and her subsequent failure to appear on February 26, Kavitha had chosen not to comply with the requests. In response to the summons, she communicated to the CBI on February 25, expressing her decision not to attend the questioning concerning the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam, citing prior commitments and an ongoing petition before the apex court.

K Kavitha, the daughter of former Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, currently serves as a Member of the Legislative Council (MLC) in Telangana. Her absence from at least two summonses this year has drawn attention. The ED alleges her involvement with a “South Group” lobby of liquor traders, purportedly seeking a larger influence under the now-defunct Delhi excise policy for 2021-22.

The ED’s investigations have pointed fingers at Vijay Nair, an accused in the case, for allegedly receiving kickbacks of at least Rs 100 crore from the “South Group,” which reportedly includes figures like Sarath Reddy, Kavitha, and Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, on behalf of leaders of the AAP.

The timing of Kavitha’s arrest has sparked controversy, especially as it coincided with the Election Commission of India’s impending announcement of the 2024 general elections schedule. Bharat Kumar, the general secretary of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi, criticized the raid, pointing out that Kavitha’s case was scheduled to be heard in the Supreme Court. He argued that the arrest lacked transparency, as the grounds for arrest had not been disclosed to their legal team. Kumar deemed the arrest illegal, especially considering the ED’s commitment to the Supreme Court to refrain from taking action until after the hearing.

Kavitha’s brother and BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao, along with KCR’s nephew T. Harish Rao, attempted to enter her residence but were blocked by ED officials. They raised concerns about the legality of the arrest, suggesting that Kavitha should have been presented before a local court if an arrest had taken place.

Former Housing Minister Vemula Prashanth Reddy condemned the arrest, alleging that it was a politically motivated move by the BJP to target KCR and the BRS. Reddy criticized the arrest’s timing and highlighted the unprecedented nature of a female being arrested in a money laundering case, particularly in the evening.

In contrast, BJP State unit president and Union Minister G. Kishen Reddy defended the arrest, questioning why Kavitha would seek legal options if she was innocent. He dismissed claims of political bias and suggested that the arrest was a lawful step. BJP contestant from Malkajgiri Etala Rajender also supported the arrest, emphasizing the complexity of the case and alleging Kavitha’s lack of cooperation with the investigative agencies.