Delhi Court Issues Notice To CBI On BRS Leader K Kavitha's Bail Plea In Liquor Policy Case

A Delhi Court on Monday issued notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on the bail plea filed by BRS leader K Kavitha in connection with the money laundering case linked to the now scrapped liquor policy.

Kavitha, currently in judicial custody until April 23, has sought interim bail to participate in the Lok Sabha polls. According to the application, Kavitha was arrested to deprive her from campaigning for the elections.

The court, presided over by Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue Courts, has also issued notice on her regular bail plea. The next hearing on the matter is scheduled for April 22, pending the response from the central agency.

Kavitha was arrested on the evening of March 15 by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). She was in judicial custody when the CBI arrested her. This was after CBI recently got permission from court to interrogate Kavitha in jail.

CBI alleged that Sarath Reddy participated in the liquor business in Delhi under the excise policy on Kavitha's assurance that she has contacts in the Delhi Government and she would help him in the business.

It further alleged that in November-December 2021, Kavitha asked Sarath Chandra Reddy to pay Rs. 25 crores at the rate of Rs. 5 crores per zone for the 05 retail zones allotted to him, as she had claimed that she herself had paid Rs.100 crores as upfront money to Aam Aadmi Party through Vijay Nair for getting favourable provisions in Excise Policy.

CBI also alleged that Kavitha was required to be examined in connection with the evidence surfaced during the further investigation of the case in respect of her involvement in the criminal conspiracy regarding formulation and implementation of the Excise Policy.

In a parallel development, former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi and Aam Aadmi Party leader Manish Sisodia, presently in judicial custody in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam case, also moved the Rouse Avenue Courts seeking interim bail for campaign activities related to the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. His plea is listed for hearing on April 20.

(Compiled by Bhavya Singh)