NEW DELHI: Manish Sisodia, the former deputy chief minister of Delhi, was questioned by the enforcement directorate (ED) on Thursday for the second time inside Tihar prison regarding his involvement in the irregularities surrounding the Delhi excise policy, which involved the alleged payment of a 100 crore bribe to Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders in exchange for their support of certain liquor industry executives and politicians.
According to people with knowledge of the interrogation, Sisodia is being questioned about a number of issues related to the case, including the destruction of evidence (by frequently switching phones), the increase in the profit margin for wholesalers from 5% to an "unprecedented" 12%, kickbacks paid to Vijay Nair on behalf of AAP leaders by the alleged South Group, and the decision to change policy in light of the Group of Ministers (GoM) report.
According to officials, his questioning might go on into Friday as well. The CBI detained Sisodia on February 26. He was placed in judicial prison on Monday by a Delhi court until March 20.
K. Kavitha, the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, has announced that she will appear before the ED on March 11 instead of the scheduled appearance on Thursday.
Individuals with knowledge of the situation reported that her request had been granted. Kavitha, an MLC for the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), arrived in the national capital on Thursday.
She stated earlier this week that she would completely comply with the investigation agency but that she would like to get legal advice before giving a deposition because she planned to hold a dharna in Delhi on March 10 in support of the women's reservation law.
Arun Ramchandra Pillai, who is accused of representing Kavitha's interests in the purported "South Group" implicated in the excise policy case and was detained on Tuesday, is likely to be brought up in front of her by the ED.
According to the federal authorities, Pillai acted as Kavitha's representative for her benami investments. He is accused of being a key player in the creation of cartels and of helping the South Group pay AAP 100 crore in kickbacks.
The South Group is made up of Delhi-based entrepreneur Sameer Mahendru, YSR Congress MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, his son Raghav Magunta, Aurobindo Group promoter Sarath Reddy, K. Kavitha, and Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.
Abhishek Boinpally, Arun Pillai, and Butchibabu spoke on its behalf in meetings with Vijay Nair and other liquor industry figures.
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