Kavitha Secures Bail as Supreme Court Overturns Delhi HC Ruling
New Delhi, August 27, 2024: The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to BRS leader K Kavitha, who had been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the now-scrapped Delhi liquor policy case. This decision comes after the Supreme Court overturned the Delhi High Court’s July 1 order that had denied her bail.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, a Delhi court promptly issued release warrants for Kavitha in both corruption and money laundering cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja ordered her release, requiring a personal bond of ₹10 lakh for each case, along with sureties.
The Supreme Court noted that Kavitha had been in custody for around five months and that investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and ED had concluded. During the hearing, the apex court requested the ED and CBI to present evidence of Kavitha’s involvement in the alleged scam. Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan reviewed her bail petitions, with senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi arguing for her release, citing the completion of investigations and referencing the Supreme Court’s earlier decision to grant bail to AAP leader Manish Sisodia, a co-accused in the same case.
Meanwhile, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the central agencies, accused Kavitha of destroying or formatting her mobile phone, alleging it was evidence tampering. Rohatgi dismissed these allegations as “bogus.”
Kavitha was arrested by the ED on March 15 from her Banjara Hills residence in Hyderabad and later by the CBI on April 11 from Tihar jail. Despite facing allegations and extended custody, she has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The Delhi High Court had previously dismissed her bail pleas, labeling her as one of the main conspirators in the criminal conspiracy related to the now-defunct Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
Her brother and former minister, Kalvakuntla Taraka Rama Rao, expressed his relief on social media, stating, “Thank You Supreme Court 🙏 Relieved. Justice prevailed.”
