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Delhi Excise Policy Scam: In a significant development in the Delhi Excise Policy scandal, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha has been sent to 14-day judicial custody until April 23, 2024, by Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court. This decision follows allegations of corruption, money laundering, and conspiracy surrounding the implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
K Kavitha was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 15, 2024, in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam. The ED’s investigation revealed a purported conspiracy involving top leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia. Allegedly, in exchange for favours in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise Policy, K Kavitha was involved in paying Rs. 100 crore to AAP leaders.
The ED has alleged that through corrupt practices, a continuous stream of illegal funds, in the form of kickbacks from wholesalers, was generated for AAP. K Kavitha and her associates were accused of conspiring to recover the proceeds of crime paid to AAP and further generating profits from this alleged conspiracy.
In connection with the case, the ED has filed one prosecution complaint and five supplementary complaints. Assets worth Rs. 128.79 crore, believed to be proceeds of crime, have been traced and attached through provisional attachment orders. These orders were confirmed by the adjudicating authority in New Delhi.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry was initiated based on the findings of a report by the Delhi Chief Secretary in July. The report highlighted prima facie violations of various acts and rules related to the Delhi Excise Policy.
The ED and CBI alleged irregularities in modifying the excise policy, extending undue favours to license holders, and waiving or reducing license fees without proper approvals. The probe agencies claimed that beneficiaries diverted illegal gains to accused officials and made false entries in their accounts to evade detection.
Losses to the exchequer were estimated at Rs. 144.36 crore, with instances of refunding earnest money deposits against rules and waiver of license fees without enabling provisions cited. The investigation continues as authorities delve deeper into the alleged nexus between officials and private entities in the Delhi Excise Policy scandal.
