Delhi liquor scam: Enforcement Directorate begins questioning of BRS MLC K Kavitha

Rama Rao, popularly known as KTR, and Harish Rao are understood to have consulted a battery of lawyers that Kavitha had hired on the kind of questions that the ED was likely to ask and what should her answers be to them.

Related: Central probe agencies are puppets in Modi’s hands, says KTR

Crowds at KCR residence

Kavitha emerged from KCR’s residence a few minutes before the appointed hour and drove straight to the ED’s office even as several supporters followed her in their cars.

There was no apparent trace of tension on Kavitha’s face when she entered her car at KCR’s residence and when she alighted at ED’s office which is just about 1.5 km away.

As the ED office, she waved to the milling media persons and the BRS workers and went inside.

Though she was accompanied by her businessman-husband Devanapalli Anil Kumar and advocate Gandra Mohan Rao, a few minutes later both of them came out, which meant that ED did not allow anyone inside the office premises other than Kavitha.

The roads that led to ED’s office from KCR’s residence were heavily barricaded to prevent BRS workers from rushing to the ED’s office. Though policemen were posted at several places, including the main entrance of the ED’s office, BRS workers managed to gather in huge numbers.

Related: Kavitha may be arrested, says KCR; rules out early Assembly polls

The questioning

The ED officials are expected to grill her on her involvement in the liquor scam in the wake of the damning evidence provided by those who had already been arrested, including Hyderabad businessman Arun Pillai.

The charge against her is that she was part of the so-called “South Group” that had paid up to ₹100 crore to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in return for sizeable number of liquor vends in Delhi, undue favours, as well as letting them form a cartel.

The ED officials are expected to grill her in the presence of Arun Pillai, despite the fact that he has already sought permission from the trial court — the Rouse Avenue District Court — in New Delhi to withdraw his statement to the ED that he had acted as Kavitha’s proxy.

As the case is expected to come up for hearing on 13 March, ironically on Kavitha’s birthday, the officials of the ED will go ahead with the evidence that Arun Pillai had furnished to them.

Related: Day before ED grilling, Kavitha’s pitch for women’s quota Bill

Speaking to media persons outside the ED’s office, Telangana Excise and Prohibition Minister V Srinvasa Goud said that summoning Kavitha was nothing but BJP’s political witch-hunt and that its modus operandi to make the Opposition kowtow its likes are too well known.

He said the BRS leaders, however, would not be cowed down by such unethical and intimidatory tactics.

“Are all BJP leaders paragons of virtue to call all others corrupt?” he asked.

There is apprehension among BRS workers that Kavitha may be arrested by the ED after Saturday’s questioning.