In a significant development in the Delhi liquor scam case, the Rouse Avenue Court has declined interim bail for Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K. Kavitha, dealing a blow to her defense. The court has extended her judicial custody until April 23, following a request by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for a 14-day extension. Kavitha was brought to court from Tihar Jail upon the expiry of her current custody period on Tuesday.
Kavitha, the daughter of the former Chief Minister of Telangana, had sought relief from the court to fulfill her maternal duties in light of her son’s upcoming exams. However, her plea did not sway the court’s decision.
Reacting to the extension of her judicial custody, Kavitha expressed her dissatisfaction outside the court premises, stating, “This case is entirely based on statements. It is an irrational case and a political one aimed at targeting opposition parties. The CBI has already recorded my statement in jail.” It’s noteworthy that Kavitha was arrested by the ED from her residence in Hyderabad on March 15.
During the proceedings, the Rouse Avenue Court noted that it was not the appropriate time to grant interim bail to Kavitha. The court emphasized her active involvement in the case and her attempts to tamper with evidence. Presiding over the hearing related to the alleged excise policy money laundering case, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja highlighted that Kavitha is not a vulnerable woman but an educated and socially established individual, thus ineligible for the reliefs granted to women under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The court also dismissed her claim regarding her son’s education by pointing out that the child’s father is present to take care of his needs.
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Kavitha had knocked on the court’s doors seeking interim bail, citing her 16-year-old son’s exams as a reason. However, the court’s decision to extend her judicial custody marks a setback in her legal battle, underlining the gravity of the allegations against her in the Delhi liquor scam.
