A Delhi court on July 5 extended till July 18 the judicial custody of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K. Kavitha, who was lodged in Tihar jail in connection with a money laundering case linked to the Delhi excise policy scam.
Special Judge Kaveri Baweja’s order came just two days after the Delhi High Court upheld the lower court’s order cancelling her bail. The court declined her bail in both CBI and ED cases, citing prima facie evidence towards her involvement in the alleged scam.
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The case against Ms. Kavitha was based on the FIR initially filed by the CBI on the complaint of the Lieutenant-Governor of Delhi alleging multiple irregularities in the Delhi excise policy-2021-22, which was subsequently withdrawn.
The CBI, in its remand application, submitted that Ms. Kavitha had played a “big role” in arranging the money for AAP. The agency also cited WhatsApp chats that allegedly placed her as a proxy partner of the liquor company Indospirit.
The Central agency claimed that her interrogation was necessary as she was the “kingpin and main conspirator” but alleged that she gave evasive and contrary replies during her questioning.
The ED had alleged that Ms. Kavitha, along with other members of the ‘South Group’, i.e. Sarath Reddy, Raghav Magunta and Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, conspired with the top leaders of the AAP and gave them kickbacks.
Published - July 05, 2024 06:38 pm IST
