Kavitha gets bail in Delhi Excise Policy Scam case
The Supreme Court asked the ED and the CBI to show what "material" they had to prove that BRS leader K Kavitha was involved
By Newsmeter Network Published on 27 Aug 2024 7:35 AM GMT
New Delhi: In a relief to BRS leader K Kavitha, the Supreme Court on Tuesday granted her bail in corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan noted that Kavitha had been in custody for around five months and the probe against her by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was complete in these cases.
"As such, custody of the appellant (Kavitha) is not necessary for the purpose of investigation," the bench said. It set aside a July 1 order of the Delhi High Court which denied bail to the BRS leader in the two cases.
The high court had dismissed Kavitha's bail pleas, 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 SC asked her to furnish bail bonds of Rs 10 lakh each in the two cases. While asking Kavitha to surrender her passport to the trial court, the bench said she shall not make any attempt to tamper with evidence or influence witnesses.
During the hearing, the bench questioned the fairness of the probe agencies in investigating these cases and rapped them for "pick and choose".
It also asked the ED and the CBI about the "material" they had to show that Kavitha was involved in the alleged scam. The bench was hearing Kavitha's pleas seeking bail in the corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged scam.
Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Kavitha, sought bail saying the probe against her has already been completed by the two agencies. He said she has been in custody for five months in the ED's money laundering case and for over four months in the CBI's case.
Rohatgi also referred to the August 9 apex court verdict granting bail to co-accused and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia 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".
The ED had arrested Kavitha (46) from her Banjara Hills residence in Hyderabad on March 15 and the CBI had arrested her from Tihar jail on April 11.
Kavitha has denied all allegations.
Following is the timeline of developments in the matter:
* March 15, 2024: Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrests Kavitha in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam.
* April 11: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) arrests Kavitha in connection with corruption case linked to the alleged scam.
* May 6: Delhi court denies bail in both cases.
* May 9: Kavitha moves Delhi HC seeking bail in ED's case.
* May 15: Kavitha approaches Delhi HC for bail in corruption case lodged by CBI.
* July 1: Delhi HC dismisses Kavitha's bail pleas in both cases.
* Aug 12: SC seeks response from CBI and ED on Kavitha's pleas seeking bail.
* Aug 27: SC grants bail to Kavitha.
KTR hails SC granting bail to sister Kavitha
BRS Working President K T Rama Rao on Tuesday thanked the Supreme Court for granting bail to his sister and party MLC K Kavitha in the corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam and said justice has prevailed in the cases.
Rama Rao was in Delhi in view of Kavitha's bail plea coming up in the apex court on Tuesday.
"Thank You Supreme Court. Relieved. Justice prevailed," he said on X.
Several BRS MLAs and other party leaders, who were also in Delhi, congratulated Rama Rao over the Supreme Court granting bail to Kavitha.
BRS leaders celebrated the occasion and distributed sweets at the party's headquarters here.
Inputs from PTI
