Not intimidated, says BRS MLC Kavitha as ED summons her to Delhi on 9 March for questioning

Related: KCR, 8 Opposition leaders, slam BJP over central agencies’ misuse

Notice will not deter us, says Kavitha

“As a law-abiding citizen, I will cooperate with the investigating agencies,” she said in a statement.

Describing the issue of notice as an act of intimidation by the BJP, she said that these tactics will not deter the
“fight and voice of our leader Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao” and the BRS party.

“Under the leadership of KCR Garu, we will continue to fight to expose your failures and raise a voice for a brighter and better future for India.”

She also said Telangana would not bow before the power mongers in Delhi.

“Let me also remind the power mongers in Delhi that Telangana has never, and will never, bow before the oppressive anti-people reigme. We will fearlessly and fiercely fight for the rights of the people.”

The ED chose to serve its notice on her on International Women’s Day which she wanted to utilise to project herself as the leader of women at the national level.

Related: Kavita’s ex-CA Butchibabu Gorantla gets conditional bail

Notice comes after Arun Pillai arrest by ED

Already, Kavitha’s alleged “frontman”, and Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramachandra Pillai, has been arrested by the ED in the same case on the charges of money laundering in the scam.

He was among the key representatives, who allegedly played a crucial role on behalf of BRS MLC Kavitha in the scam. Kavitha is also said to be one of the key members of the so-called “South Group” which played a major role in the formulation of the excise policy scam.

Indications are that Kavitha and Arun Pillai might be questioned together.

In December last year, the CBI recorded Kavitha’s statement at her house in connection with the scam under Section 160 of the CrPC.

As regards Arun Pillai, the ED, in its remand report filed with the Delhi court on Tuesday, 7 March, said he had acted as Kavita’s proxy. The ED is probing the case based on the FIR issued by the CBI. Last year, the CBI conducted raids on the house and other premises belonging to Arun Pillai.

Though it cannot be presumed that the questioning of Kavitha is only a prelude to her arrest, there is a nagging feeling among the BRS activists that the ED may do just that.

They have been tom-tomming that the central agencies are after Kavitha in an act of political witch-hunting by the BJP dispensation at the Centre.

Related: New ED charge sheet has details of Kavitha’s alleged involvement

First mention of Kavitha in ED charge sheet

Kavitha’s name figured first in the scam when the ED mentioned her name in its charge sheet with Rouse Avenue Court Delhi that she was one of the key players in South Group which had mobilised ₹100 crore to Vijay Nair of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The ED had said that the liquor scam rests on the conspiracy orchestrated by the South Group with the AAP leaders in which Arun Ramachandran Pillai had a part. The AAP used the funds collected from the South Group for elections in Punjab and Goa.

In return, Nair ensured that the South Group secured stakes in wholesale businesses in Delhi. He ensured that they were allowed to hold multiple retail licenses over and above what was permissible as per the Excise policy and that they were given other undue favours, according to the ED.

When the ED arrested the former auditor of Kavitha Gorantla Buthibabu who also was her frontman, it sent shock waves as many had feared that the ED was trying to build a case to reach Kavitha.

The party cadres are on the edge now with the ED summoning Kavitha to Delhi without giving her any time.