K. Kavitha Granted Permission for CBI Interrogation in Money Laundering Case

Bharat Rashtra Samithi Leader K. Kavitha to Be Questioned Regarding Delhi Excise Policy Scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was granted permission on Friday to interrogate K. Kavitha, a detained leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), in connection with the money laundering case related to the now-defunct Delhi excise policy for 2021-22.

Special Judge (PC Act) Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Courts issued the order for interrogation based on a plea filed by the CBI to question Ms. Kavitha. She is currently in judicial custody following her arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 15 in the same case.

Ms. Kavitha, daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, labeled her arrest as ‘illegal’ and expressed her determination to contest it.

In its application, the CBI stated the necessity to interrogate the accused regarding evidence that emerged during the investigation. The agency cited recovered chats from the phone of Buchi Babu, an associate of Ms. Kavitha, and documents related to a land deal, allegedly involving a bribe of ₹100 crore paid to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as kickbacks.

The FIR was filed by the CBI based on a complaint from the Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi, alleging various irregularities in the formation and implementation of the 2022 Delhi excise policy, which was subsequently revoked.

Following the CBI’s case, the ED initiated proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, alleging that funds earned through the excise policy were funneled through “hawala” channels to finance the AAP’s campaign in Goa ahead of the 2022 Assembly elections.

The ED further implicated Ms. Kavitha and other members of the ‘South Group’, including Sarath Reddy, Raghav Magunta, and Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, accusing them of conspiring with AAP leaders and providing kickbacks.