This is election season, and campaigns are at their peak. In such a scenario, most of the leaders are arrested by the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED). The daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in Hyderabad on money-laundering charges on March 15. Kavitha was lodged in Tihar Jail under judicial custody after the ED arrested her in Hyderabad on money-laundering charges on March 15. On April 10, the CBI got approval from a special court to arrest her.
The Delhi liquor policy case refers to a legal dispute between the Delhi government and various liquor vendors and associations regarding the government’s decision to enforce a new excise policy in the city. In 2016, the Delhi government introduced a new excise policy that aimed to rationalise the sale of alcohol in the city and increase revenue. The policy introduced measures such as raising the legal drinking age, reducing the number of liquor shops in the city, and increasing the legal drinking age from 18 to 21 years.
However, several liquor vendors and associations challenged the policy in court, arguing that it was illogical, unreasonable, and violated their fundamental rights. They also claimed that the new policy had led to a decline in their business and caused them financial losses. The case eventually reached the Delhi High Court, which in 2017 upheld the government’s policy, stating that it was within the government’s purview to regulate the sale of alcohol in the interest of public health and safety. The court also dismissed the vendors’ claims that the policy was arbitrary and violative of their rights.
It has been alleged that K Kavitha was part of a “South Group, which paid Rs 100 crore in advance as “kickbacks” through the then Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) communication and media in-charge Vijay Nair, who represented some AAP leaders. Without any reason, her name was definitely not added. Like any other political party, KCR and his party are deeply involved in corruption. It is a different matter. People in the state are still supporting and helping him retain power, but this time KCR lost it big time. Without corruption, central agencies are not appearing as guests at any house. But this is the common practice in India to syphon money in the name of development and get their own businesses to flourish. However, there have been reports of alleged corruption and illegal activities involving other political leaders in Telangana related to the distribution of liquor licences. In September 2020, the Telangana State Beverages Corporation Limited (TSBCL) cancelled the licences of several bars and restaurants in the state due to alleged irregularities in the granting of licences. Some political leaders were named in the investigation and were accused of using their influence to secure licences for individuals close to them.
There have been a lot of irregularities and corruption in the liquor policy. All this has happened under the supervision of the Chief Minister. According to the terms of the tender, there was no permission to merge two or three companies into a corporation. According to the document, a cartel has taken place. According to the tender, the blacklisted company was not allowed, but two zones were given to a company in Delhi for distribution. The manufacturing company did not have permission in the retail sector. However, these producer companies were given two zones. In this way, the wholesale traders got a free hand from the new policy of the Delhi government, and they started earning big money by selling liquor at half the price. Due to this, instead of money going directly to the government, it became a source of income for its residents.
It’s important to note that these allegations have not been proven in a court of law, and all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty. It’s also important to rely on credible sources of information and avoid spreading unverified rumours or misinformation. The CBI told the court that Kavitha was involved in giving Rs 100 crore to AAP, and the central agency sought her five-day custody. Citing chats, the CBI said that Kavitha was holding a partnership in wholesale licences with Indo Spirits through her proxy (accused Pillai). Further, the investigative agency said, “P Sarath Reddy was also present in a meeting organised in the Taj Hotel in which Babu and Abhishek Boinpally were present, and it was decided that Indo Spirits (accused Sameer Mahendru’s company in which Kavitha allegedly had a share) would be appointed as wholesalers of Pernod Richard.”
With this so-called liquor scam, AAP has lost its ground, and the party is going through a leadership crisis. There is a possibility of the president’s rule being imposed in Delhi. AAP is a victim of circumstances, and this liquor scam left no grounds for them. KCR, who was very vocal against Narendra Modi, maintained dignified silence. He is not seen much on public platforms. There is a possibility that KCR’s party can go the AAP way and slowly lose its relevance.
