Supreme Court grants bail to Kavitha in excise policy case

Apex court asks ED, CBI to show what "material" they had to prove that BRS leader was involved in the alleged scam

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to BRS MLC K Kavitha in the Delhi Liquor Policy case. Kavitha, who was arrested on March 15, has been in judicial custody for 161 days.

The court expressed its dissatisfaction with the progress of the investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), stating that it was no longer appropriate to detain her.

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Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi argued the case on behalf of Kavitha. The court has directed the ED and CBI to respond to her bail request. The court’s decision comes after it noted the lack of substantial evidence presented by the investigative agencies and questioned the necessity of her continued detention.

During the hearing the Supreme Court asked the ED and the CBI to show what “material” they had to prove that BRS leader K Kavitha was involved in the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.

A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan was hearing Kavitha’s pleas seeking bail in the corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged scam which are being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) respectively.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Kavitha, sought bail saying the probe against her has already been completed by the two agencies. He also referred to the apex court’s verdict granting bail to AAP leader Manish Sisodia, a co-accused in the two cases.

Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, appearing for the probe agencies, claimed that Kavitha had destroyed/formatted her mobile phone and her conduct amounted to tampering with evidence. Rohatgi termed the allegation “bogus”. “What is the material to show that she was involved in the crime,” the bench asked Raju.

The apex court had on August 12 sought responses from the CBI and the ED on Kavitha’s pleas challenging a July 1 Delhi High Court order denying her bail in the two cases. The high court had dismissed Kavitha’s bail pleas in both cases, saying she was prima facie one of the main conspirators in the criminal conspiracy related to the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.

The ED arrested Kavitha (46) from her Banjara Hills residence in Hyderabad on March 15. The CBI arrested her on April 11 from Tihar jail. Kavitha has denied all allegations.

BRS cadres celebrate Kavitha’s bail

BRS cadres distributed sweets in Telangana Bhavan celebrating the grant of bail for MLC Kavitha in the Delhi liquor policy case.

Welcoming the bail granted by the Supreme Court, BRS Rajya Sabha Member Vaddiraju Ravichandra has termed the case against Kavitha as an  unnecessary one. Speaking to media outside the Supreme Court in New Delhi, she stated that the case lacked any basis and there were no transactions to support the CBI charges. He emphasized that the case is politically motivated.

Former speaker S Madhusudhana Chary praised Kavitha’s resilience and courage, highlighting the way she had fought in the case. Her strength and courage owed to the role she played in the fight for Telangana statehood.

He expressed confidence that she would come clean in the case, noting her history of fighting for statehood from the frontlines. He also mentioned that the case was misleading.

BRS leader Devisri Prasad echoed these sentiments, stating that Kavitha has always been above controversies. He welcomed the court’s decision, acknowledging her efforts and dedication as a leader of Bharat Jagruthi.