The Supreme Court has directed Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha to seek bail in the money laundering case related to the Delhi excise policy by approaching the trial court. A bench comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh, and Bela M Trivedi instructed Kavitha to adhere to the protocol, stating that the court cannot bypass established procedures.
According to a news agency, the court notified the Enforcement Directorate (ED) of Kavitha’s petition challenging certain provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act under which she was arrested on March 15. Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Kavitha, informed the bench that individuals were being arrested based on the testimony of an approver. However, the court refrained from delving into the case’s merits.
Kavitha, daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, remains in the agency’s custody until March 23. The ED alleges that Kavitha conspired with top Aam Aadmi Party leaders, including Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and former Minister Manish Sisodia, to obtain favours in the Delhi liquor policy by paying ₹100 crore to the political party. Kavitha has vehemently denied these accusations, labelling the ED’s actions unlawful.
After her arrest, BRS leader and her brother KT Rama Rao criticized the BJP-led central government for what he termed as an abuse of power and institutional misuse. He questioned the ED’s urgency in arresting Kavitha when the matter was already sub-judice and scheduled for review. He also criticized the ED for disregarding its commitment to the Supreme Court.
Kavitha had been questioned thrice last year by the ED in this case and was summoned again this year, but she declined to appear, citing a Supreme Court directive that granted her protection from coercive measures.
Earlier, Kavitha had also faced questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the same case.
Check here for the latest updates in Hindi!