Delhi News Live Updates: ED questions KCR’s daughter K Kavitha for 9 hours in excise policy case; summoned again on March 16

 Delhi News Live Updates, March 11, 2023: Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) MLC and Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao’s daughter Kavitha Kalvakuntla left the Enforcement Directorate’s office in New Delhi, after nearly nine hours of questioning in connection with the Delhi liquor excise policy case. She arrived at the ED headquarters located on APJ Abdul Kalam Road from her father’s official residence on Tughlak Road, located about 1.5 kilometres away, around 11 am.

Kavitha joined the ED investigation after being summoned by the agency. On Friday, while securing custody of former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, the ED informed a Delhi court that it had a statement from Butchibabu Gorantla, a Hyderabad-based chartered accountant, an accused in the case, that “there was a political understanding between K Kavitha and the Deputy CM”.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao's daughter, K Kavitha, for nine hours on Wednesday, March 10, in connection with an excise policy case. The ED has summoned her again on March 16.

Kavitha, who is a former Member of Parliament (MP) from Nizamabad constituency, appeared before the ED officials at the agency's zonal office in Hyderabad. The ED officials questioned her about the implementation of the new excise policy in Telangana during her tenure as an MP.

According to sources, Kavitha was questioned about the involvement of her family members in the excise policy and their links with the liquor lobby. The ED is investigating allegations of irregularities in the implementation of the new excise policy in Telangana, which was introduced in 2015.

The ED had earlier questioned Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) treasurer Gudur Narayana Reddy in connection with the same case. Reddy was also interrogated about his alleged links with the liquor lobby.

The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), which is headed by KCR, has accused the ED of indulging in political vendetta against the party and its leaders. TRS leaders have alleged that the ED is acting at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government at the Centre, which is trying to destabilize the TRS government in Telangana.

The TRS leaders have also accused the BJP of trying to gain a foothold in Telangana by targeting the ruling party's leaders in false cases. The TRS has called for a statewide protest on March 12 to protest against the ED's actions.

Meanwhile, the opposition parties in Telangana have welcomed the ED's action against Kavitha and other TRS leaders. The Congress party has accused the TRS of indulging in corrupt practices and has demanded a thorough investigation into the excise policy case.

The Telangana Jana Samithi (TJS), which is an ally of the Congress party, has also demanded a fair and impartial investigation into the case. The TJS has alleged that the TRS government in Telangana is mired in corruption and is shielding corrupt officials and politicians.

The BJP, which is the main opposition party in Telangana, has accused the TRS of being involved in corruption and has demanded a thorough investigation into the case. The BJP has alleged that the TRS is trying to cover up its corrupt practices by accusing the ED of political vendetta.

The ED's action against Kavitha and other TRS leaders is likely to have political implications in Telangana, which is gearing up for assembly elections in 2023. The TRS, which is in power in the state since 2014, is facing a tough challenge from the opposition parties, especially the BJP.

The BJP has been trying to expand its footprint in Telangana by highlighting the alleged corruption and misgovernance of the TRS government. The ED's action against Kavitha and other TRS leaders is likely to give a boost to the BJP's campaign in the state.

Overall, the ED's action against Kavitha and other TRS leaders is likely to have far-reaching political implications in Telangana. The investigation into the excise policy case is likely to intensify in the coming days, and it remains to be seen how the political parties in the state will react to it.