AAP’s Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, KCR daughter named in ED chargesheet in liquor policy case

The chargesheet, filed before a special judge at Rouse Avenue district court, has relied on the statement of Indospirits MD Sameer Mahendru, who is an accused in the alleged money laundering case, to allege that he was approached by members of the ‘South group’.

The AAP has maintained the probe is politically motivated and investigating agencies are acting on BJP’s behest. (File)

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Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao’s daughter Kalvakuntla Kavitha was part of the ‘South group’ which paid Rs 100 crore in kickbacks to Aam Aadmi Party leaders in exchange for undue benefits under the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy, the Enforcement Directorate has alleged in its chargesheet.

The chargesheet, filed before a special judge at Rouse Avenue district court, has relied on the statement of Indospirits MD Sameer Mahendru, who is an accused in the alleged money laundering case, to allege that he was approached by members of the ‘South group’. It is alleged that they expressed an interest in his company, and his initial pushback against this partnership fizzled out after a promise by AAP communications in-charge Vijay Nair to provide him with a wholesale business. His partnership with the group was further cemented over several phone calls and meetings with Kavitha, it is alleged. As per Mahendru’s statement, it is alleged that Nair met Mahendru and told him about a South group member, Arun Pillai, whose “group was keen on investing in Delhi business, that this group had deep pockets, political connections and friends of Arvind Kejriwal”.

Explained | What is the controversy surrounding Delhi government’s liquor policy?

Mahendru resisted joining this partnership because he was of the view that the group wanted stakes in his company without much investment, chargesheet alleges. It was only later that Arun told Mahendru that he was representing K Kavitha, who revealed her interest in his company, it is alleged. Mahendru relented to their requests after a promise from Nair that “M/s Pernod Ricard’s wholesale business would come to him”, it is alleged. The ED alleged that Kavitha spoke to Mahendru in September 2021 on Facetime, where she “congratulated Sameer for Delhi business” and was “happy that they have partnered up”.

In 2022, Mahendru met Kavitha at her house in Hyderabad where she told him that he was “like family to her and doing business with Arun was like doing business with Kavitha and that they will take this relationship to a larger scale in multiple states and expand majorly”, the ED has alleged in its chargesheet.

Also Read | CBI records KCR daughter’s statement in Delhi liquor policy case

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia’s name also figures in the ED chargesheet through the statement of businessman Dinesh Arora who, the agency claims, told them that he initially met AAP leader Sanjay Singh, through whom he eventually met Sisodia during a party at a restaurant. He spoke to many restaurant owners “on request of Mr Singh” and arranged cheques amounting to Rs 82 lakh (handed over to Mr Sisodia) for collection of party funds for upcoming assembly elections in Delhi”, it is alleged.

Arora also stated that he once raised the issue of shifting a shop from Pitampura to Okhla with Sisodia and the issue was subsequently resolved by the Excise department, the chargesheet claims. He claims to have spoken to Sisodia five-six times and met Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his residence with Sanjay Singh, the chargesheet alleges.

Also Read | Delhi liquor policy case: ED conducts searches at 4 places, questions Manish Sisodia’s PA on destruction of evidence

Earlier, reacting to reports of her alleged involvement in the scam, Kavitha was quoted by PTI as telling reporters: “We state that we will face any kind of inquiry. If the agencies come and ask us questions we will certainly answer. But tarnishing leaders’ images by giving selective leaks to the media, people will refute it.”

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The AAP leaders and the Delhi government could not be reached for comment. The AAP has maintained the probe is politically motivated and investigating agencies are acting on BJP’s behest.

Anand Mohan J

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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