Who are the 'South Group' allegedly involved in the Delhi excise policy scam

According to ED, the leaders of a few political parties were found to be involved in the excise policy scam. Not just that, they were found utilising proxies, dummies, and a network of exchanges and transactions to disguise their involvement, according to the ED's remand report of Raghav Magunta, which was submitted in Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on February 11, 2023.

The South Group includes YSRCP Ongole MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy (MSR), his son Magunta Raghava Reddy, and BRS MLC K Kavitha (represented by businessman Arun Ramachandra Pillai), as well as chartered accountant Butchibabu Gorantla, Hyderabad businessman Abhishek Boinpally, and leading pharmaceutical company director P Sarath Candra Reddy.

In a legal document filed against businessman Sameer Mahendru and AAP's communication in-charge Vijay Nair, the ED claimed that they acted in connivance with K Kavitha, Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, Raghav Magunta, and Sarath Reddy.

Furthermore, it stated that Mahendru and the South group planned with Nair to create the cartel to set up a smooth kickback system that would allow them to recoup the kickbacks that had been paid.

The arrest of the Delhi Chief Minister, the latest in the investigation, came when the ED arrived at his home late at night with a search warrant. The development came after Kejriwal failed to appear at their office despite the agency's ninth summon.