Key Allegations
- Conspiracy for Undue Benefits: The ED alleges that Kavitha conspired to receive undue benefits under the Delhi liquor policy.
- Proceeds of Crime: Kavitha is accused of generating and using proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 292.8 crore.
- Judicial Custody Extended: Her judicial custody has been extended until July 3.
According to the ED, Kavitha and her associates formed Indo Spirits to project the proceeds of crime as legitimate business profits. The chargesheet indicates that Rs 5.5 crore was received from Indo Spirits in the name of Kavitha’s associate, Abhishek Boinpally.
“K Kavitha, by paying kickbacks to government functionaries through middlemen, has participated in the generation of proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 1,100 crore,” the ED claimed. Kavitha allegedly transferred these proceeds to government functionaries.
The ED further alleges that Kavitha deleted evidence from her mobile phones to conceal her involvement. She presented nine phones for examination, all of which were formatted and devoid of data. During questioning, Kavitha was evasive and could not explain the formatted phones.
The chargesheet also accuses Kavitha of influencing witnesses. Chartered accountant Buchi Babu, in his statement, revealed that an associate of Kavitha was being asked to retract statements given to the ED.
Earlier today, a Delhi court extended Kavitha’s judicial custody until July 3. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja extended the custody after Kavitha was produced before the court. The court had issued a production warrant after taking cognizance of the chargesheet on May 29.
Kavitha, daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, was arrested by the ED from her Banjara Hills home in Hyderabad on March 15 and subsequently by the CBI from Delhi’s Tihar Jail, where she is currently lodged.
The investigating agencies have highlighted loopholes in the Delhi liquor policy and alleged kickbacks totalling Rs 100 crore from the ‘South Group’, of which Kavitha was allegedly a part.
