CBI arrests KCR's daughter's ex auditor in Delhi liquor case

The CBI had questioned Kavitha, the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, in connection with the case in December last year.

New Delhi, Feb 08: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday arrested Butchi Babu Gorantla, believed to be the auditor of BRS MLC K Kavitha, in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

The CBI had called the CA, Butchibabu Gorantla, to Delhi for questioning in connection with the excise policy case. He was arrested on Tuesday evening as he was non-cooperative and his responses were found to be evasive.

The CBI has alleged that Gorantla's role in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22 caused "wrongful gain" to Hyderabad-based wholesale and retail licensees and their beneficial owners.

The agency will produce him before a special court here on Wednesday.

The CBI had questioned Kavitha, the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, in connection with the case in December last year.

This is not the first time that the CA's name has come up in the case. In 2022, his residence in Aravind Nagar, Domalguda was raided by the Enforcement Directorate as he served as the personal auditor of many eminent persons including Kavitha.

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia has been named as the prime accused in the case of alleged violations in the Delhi Liquor Police 2021-22.

As per the probing agencies, there was a South cartel of liquor contractors who gave Rs 100 crore to AAP functionaries to get an advantage in the liquor policy.

This cartel included P Sarath Reddy of Aurobindo Pharma, BRS MLA Kavitha and YSRC MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy.

Delhi liquor scam

The Delhi liquor scam is a scandal involving the illegal sale and distribution of alcohol in New Delhi. The controversy exposed the involvement of government officials, police, and liquor traders, in evading taxes and selling alcohol at inflated prices.

The illegal liquor scam is believed to have caused significant financial losses to the government and contributed to social problems such as substance abuse and crime. The Delhi liquor scam has led to crackdowns, arrests and charges by the probe agency against those implicated in the illegal trade.

The Delhi liquor scam has been the major bone of contention between the BJP and the AAP in the national capital.