Kavitha-Sisodia had an understanding in excise scam; ED cites her auditor

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday contended that the former Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia of Delhi had an understanding with BSR leader K Kavitha in excise policy scam. Rouse Avenue District Court witnessed high-intensity drama as the Enforcement Directorate produced Manish Sisodia before a special judge. The federal anti-money laundering probe agency stated that Kavitha’s auditor Butchibabu Gorantla disclosed that there was a political understanding between then Deputy CM and K Kavitha, who also met AAP communication in-charge and alleged aide of Sisodia, Vijay Nair. Butchibabu is the former auditor of K Kavitha and is presently on bail.

ED stated that Nair at the centre of all the conspiracy and coordination with South Group members were happening through him.  “He conspired with everyone and he was looking at everything. Vijay Nair was the one who was coordinating the entire conspiracy,” said ED counsel.

“He has disclosed that there was a political understanding between Dy CM Manish Sisodia and K Kavita. She also met Vijay Nair,” said ED counsel while reading Gorantla’s statement.

Buchibabu and Nair communicated through the Signal app and claimed the ED. In lieu of Rs 100 crore bribe, one of the biggest cartels was made to operate 30 percent of the liquor business in Delhi.  K Kavitha was given stakes in Pernod Ricard and Indospirits said the ED.

The Enforcement Directorate arrested Sisodia in Tihar Jail after grilling him for about eight hours. The ED has questioned Sisodia in connection with the alleged kickbacks of Rs 100 crore which the AAP party/leaders received through the hawala channel from South Group.

He was also asked about Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Pillai and K. Kavitha, the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao. Sisodia was arrested by the CBI on February 26 and later remanded to judicial custody by Rouse Avenue District Courts on March 6. His bail plea is also pending before the court which will hear it on Friday. The ED also made another arrest in the case earlier, taking Hyderabad-based businessman Arun Ramchandra Pillai into its custody.