Delhi Liquor Policy: SC Extends Protection from Arrest To BRS Leader K Kavitha Till March 13

The Supreme Court on Wednesday extended protection from arrest to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha till March 13 in connection with the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam

Kavitha, who is also the daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao moved the apex court seeking quashing of ED summons. ( Image Source :PTI )

The Supreme Court on Wednesday extended protection from arrest to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha till March 13 in connection with the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam. The Enforcement Directorate had issued her a fresh summons on February 21 to appear on February 26. However she did not appear in the case.  

On February 25, responding to the summons issued to her, Kavitha had written to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), saying she would not appear before it tomorrow for questioning in connection with the alleged Delhi liquor policy scam. Kavitha has refused to appear on summons twice. 

Kavitha had skipped the recent summon, citing important public engagements and a petition pending before the top court.

Kavitha, who is also the daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was last questioned by the central agency in December 2022. She moved the apex court seeking quashing of ED summons.

The Supreme Court had put the case on hold, giving her immunity from questioning till it reached a decision.

It has been alleged that Kavitha was a part of the "South Cartel" that benefited from kickbacks in the now scrapped liquor policy of Delhi.

Till now, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh have been arrested in the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has also received multiple summons from the ED in connection with the alleged money laundering in scrapped Delhi Excise policy.

The CBI has alleged that liquor companies were in communication with AAP MLAs while the policy was being framed. The "South Group," a liquor lobby according to the CBI , allegedly paid kickbacks that were routed to public servants to get the policy framed. The ED has alleged laundering of those kickbacks.