BRS MLC K. Kavitha, the daughter of former chief minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, allegedly threatened Aurobindo Pharma director P. Sharath Chandra Reddy regarding his business interests in Telangana and Delhi.
This occurred after he reportedly expressed inability to pay Rs 25 crore for five zones allotted to him under the new liquor policy, according to a CBI petition.
The CBI, which arrested Kavitha from Tihar Jail on Thursday and presented her before a Delhi court on Friday, sought five days' custody.
They cited witness statements, retrieved WhatsApp chats, and financial transaction documents related to a land deal, implicating her as a major conspirator in a scheme to pay Rs 100 crore to the AAP through accused Vijay Nair and others, in exchange for favorable provisions in Delhi's excise policy.
The CBI claimed that in June-July 2021, Kavitha compelled Sharath Chandra Reddy to enter into a sale agreement for agricultural land in Mahbubnagar, despite his reluctance.
She allegedly forced him to sign the agreement through Mahira Ventures Pvt Limited, a company under the Aurobindo Group, for Rs 14 crore. This amount was transferred to Kavitha through bank transactions, but no land was transferred.
Furthermore, the investigation revealed that Ashok Kaushik, then PA to Kavitha, stated delivering large amounts of cash as directed by accused Abhishek Boinapally for onward delivery through hawala channels to Goa. Records and statements confirmed the delivery of Rs 25 crore through Kaushik.
Kavitha allegedly assured Sharath Chandra Reddy of support for business in Delhi under the liquor policy, following which Rs 80 lakh was paid to Telangana Jagruthi, Kavitha's NGO, through Aurobindo Reality and Infrastructure, another company under the Aurobindo Group, in March 2021.
Upon court directions, the CBI will take custody of Kavitha for questioning in connection with the Delhi liquor scam.
The court ordered the CBI to allow family members and advocates to meet her during custody. Kavitha's questioning will be conducted at a place with CCTV coverage, and the proceedings will be filmed and preserved.
She is permitted daily meetings with her advocate and family members, as well as home-cooked food and personal belongings.
