Arrest of Kavitha ahead of polls to benefit BRS?

If the reports from New Delhi are to be believed, Bharat Rashtra Samithi legislator and chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao’s daughter Kalvakuntla Kavitha might get arrested by the Enforcement Directorate next week in Delhi liquor scam.

Sources said with the Supreme Court direction to the ED not to summon Kavitha for appearance in the liquor case expiring on November 20, the agency might call her for questioning the next day and arrest her.

However, it is widely believed that the entire summons and arrest of Kavitha would be a stage-managed affair and was part of a strategy by the Bharatiya Janata Party leadership to convey a message to the people that it would not spare anyone involved in corruption.

It would also give a message to the people of Telangana ahead of the November 30 elections that the BJP is not hand in glove with the BRS but is firm against the corrupt leaders.

Prior to the arrest of Kavitha, it would also throw Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal behind the bars, sources said.

At the same time, it is also a blessing in disguise for the BRS leadership if Kavitha gets arrested.

“This is expected to fetch a lot of sympathy for KCR and his family members in the elections. Who knows it may also be part of a secret understanding between the BJP and the BRS?” an analyst asked. 

On September 26, the Supreme Court directed the Enforcement Directorate not to issue summons to Kavitha for appearance in the Delhi liquor scam, till November 20.

The direction follows a petition filed by her in March challenging the summons issued by the  ED asking women to report at its office.

Senior advocate Vikram Chaudhary, appearing for Kavitha, requested the court to direct the ED to not take any coercive steps against her till the court delivers its decision on her petition.

He said a similar protection had been given to Nalini Chidambaram in another case that the ED was probing.

While stating that there was no rule that a woman cannot be called for questioning at all, as a witness or in whatever capacity, the Supreme Court said appropriate preliminary steps should be taken when women were involved.

The issue would be decided later and scheduled the hearing on November 20.

"Don't call her in the meantime," the bench directed the ED.