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BRS Leader K Kavitha Released On Bail After 5 Months In Jail

August 27, 2024, 9:36 pm

New Delhi: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha walked out of jail on Tuesday night after the Supreme Court granted her bail in the Delhi excise policy case. Kavitha had been in custody for five months, with the case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Emotional Reunion and Political Resolve

Upon her release, Kavitha expressed her gratitude to her supporters and shared an emotional moment with her family. “I became emotional after meeting my son, brother, and husband today after almost 5 months,” she said. Kavitha also blamed political motives for her imprisonment, stating, “The country knows that I was put in jail only because of politics. I did not make any mistake. We are fighters, and we will fight it out legally and politically.”

#WATCH | Delhi: BRS leader K Kavitha walks out of Tihar Jail. She was granted bail in the Delhi excise policy case by the Supreme Court today.

K Kavitha hugs her son, husband and brother KTR. pic.twitter.com/d748B61ZCy

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2024

Supreme Court’s Bail Decision

The Supreme Court, in a ruling by a bench comprising Justices BR Gavai and KV Viswanathan, ordered Kavitha’s immediate release. The court imposed strict conditions for her bail, including the submission of her passport and regular attendance at trial proceedings. Kavitha was required to furnish a bail bond of Rs 10 lakh each for the CBI and ED cases.

#WATCH | Delhi: BRS leader K Kavitha says “I want to thank all of you. I became emotional after meeting my son, brother and husband today after almost 5 months. Only politics is responsible for this situation. The country knows that I was put in jail only because of politics, I… pic.twitter.com/VVbunxb9qk

— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2024

The court emphasized that Kavitha must not tamper with evidence or attempt to influence witnesses during the ongoing trial. “The appellant is directed to be forthwith released on bail in both cases. She shall not make any attempt to tamper with evidence or influence the witnesses,” the court ruled.

Court Questions Investigating Agencies

During the hearing, the Supreme Court questioned the evidence presented by the CBI and ED against Kavitha. The bench noted that the investigation was complete and that the chargesheet had been filed, making her continued custody unnecessary. The court further stated that undertrial custody should not be used as a form of punishment, especially when the trial’s conclusion is uncertain.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Kavitha, argued that the investigation was already complete and compared her case to that of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Manish Sisodia, who was also granted bail in the same cases.

Allegations of Evidence Tampering

The additional solicitor general, S V Raju, representing the investigating agencies, alleged that Kavitha had destroyed or formatted her mobile phone, which he claimed amounted to evidence tampering. Rohatgi dismissed the allegation as “bogus.”

Criticism of Delhi High Court’s Denial of Bail

The Supreme Court also criticized the Delhi High Court’s earlier decision to deny Kavitha bail, describing the high court’s reasoning that bail could not be granted simply because a woman is educated and independent as “perverse” and ordered it to be quashed.

Background of the Case

K Kavitha, the daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, was arrested by the ED in Hyderabad on March 15 and by the CBI on April 11 while she was in Tihar Jail. The high court had previously rejected her bail applications, citing her alleged involvement as a key conspirator in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.

Kavitha’s release marks a significant development in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the Delhi excise policy case, with her vowing to continue her fight both legally and politically.

Delhi Excise Policy Case: Court Delays Charge Arguments to July 22

July 15, 2024, 2:36 pm

The Rouse Avenue court postponed the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) arguments on charges in the Delhi Excise policy case to July 22. Manish Sisodia and other accused, who are in judicial custody, appeared via video conferencing.

Special judge Kaveri Baweja delayed the charge arguments after hearing from Advocate Nitesh Rana, setting a new date for the proceedings. CBI’s Special Public Prosecutor, Advocate DP Singh, stated readiness for arguments on already acknowledged charge sheets.

Earlier, the court had deferred cognizance of a supplementary charge sheet against K Kavitha to July 22, as requested by her counsel. Her bail plea will also be heard on the same day. Kavitha has sought default bail due to alleged defects in the charge sheet filed against her and remains in judicial custody until July 18.

Previously, the court had postponed hearing K Kavitha’s plea for default bail in the Delhi Excise policy case to July 22, following a notice issued to the CBI. Advocate Nitesh Rana represented Kavitha, arguing that the charge sheet was deemed defective during the court’s consideration for cognizance on July 6. He requested default bail, citing the CBI’s failure to file a complete charge sheet within the mandated 60-day period and sought interim bail during the pending bail application.

Watch: Ex Ministers Satyavathi Rathod and Sabitha Indra Reddy Visit BRS Leader K Kavitha in Tihar Jail

June 18, 2024, 10:47 am

Former Telangana Ministers Satyavathi Rathod and Sabitha Indra Reddy visited Tihar Jail in Delhi to meet BRS leader K Kavitha. Kavitha was first arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 15 and was in CBI custody until March 23. On April 11, she was arrested again by the CBI and taken to Tihar Jail. A Delhi court had earlier reserved its decision on her interim bail plea, filed for her son’s upcoming exam, for April 9.

#WATCH | Delhi: Members of the Telangana Legislative Assembly, Satyavathi Rathod & Sabitha Indra Reddy arrived at Tihar Jail to meet BRS leader K Kavitha.

The Rouse Avenue court had extended the judicial custody of BRS leader K Kavitha till June 21. pic.twitter.com/Hy67NMiSVo

— ANI (@ANI) June 18, 2024

Before her arrest, Kavitha had been summoned multiple times for questioning but missed at least two of these summons. Last year, she was questioned three times, with her statements recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

During her recent custody, CBI officials questioned Kavitha about WhatsApp chats from co-accused Buchi Babu’s phone and documents related to a land deal. The investigation revealed that ₹100 crores were allegedly paid to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as kickbacks to influence the excise policy in favor of a liquor lobby.

Kavitha is the third high-profile politician arrested in this case, following AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh. On March 21, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal became the first sitting chief minister to be arrested in connection with this case.

The Enforcement Directorate has accused Kavitha of being part of the so-called ‘South Group,’ which allegedly paid ₹100 crore in kickbacks to AAP leaders for nine retail zones under the now-defunct policy. Other individuals named in the ‘South Group’ include Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSCRCP) MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, his son Raghav Magunta, Aurobindo Group promoter Sarath Reddy, and Delhi-based businessman Sameer Mahendru.

BRS Leader K Kavitha Sent To Judicial Custody In Delhi Excise Policy Case

June 3, 2024, 11:11 am

In a significant development in the Delhi excise policy case, Rouse Avenue Court sent BRS leader K Kavitha to judicial custody on Monday, April 23. Kavitha, the daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, was presented before the court by the CBI following the expiration of her three-day police custody.

During the hearing, the CBI informed the court that further custodial interrogation of the BRS leader was unnecessary. Kavitha was initially arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 15 and transferred to CBI custody until March 23. On April 11, the CBI arrested her again and placed her in Tihar Jail. Earlier, a Delhi court had reserved its decision on her interim bail plea, which she had filed citing her son’s upcoming exam, for April 9.

Before her arrest, Kavitha was summoned multiple times for interrogation but had skipped at least two of these summons. Last year, she was questioned three times, with her statements recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

During her recent custody, CBI officials interrogated Kavitha about WhatsApp chats recovered from co-accused Buchi Babu’s phone and documents related to a land deal. The probe revealed that ₹100 crores was allegedly paid to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) as kickbacks to influence the excise policy in favour of a liquor lobby.

Kavitha is the third high-profile politician arrested in this case, following AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh. On March 21, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also became the first sitting chief minister to be arrested in connection with this case.

Allegations Against Kavitha

The Enforcement Directorate has accused Kavitha of being part of the so-called ‘South Group,’ which allegedly paid ₹100 crore in kickbacks to AAP leaders in exchange for nine retail zones under the now-defunct policy. Other individuals named in the ‘South Group’ include Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSCRCP) MP Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy, his son Raghav Magunta, Aurobindo Group promoter Sarath Reddy, and Delhi-based businessman Sameer Mahendru.

The Delhi High Court Has reserved Its decision On K. Kavitha’s Bail Plea In The Excise Policy Case

May 28, 2024, 4:57 pm

The Delhi High Court finds itself at the centre of a legal saga as it reserves its decision on the bail plea filed by BRS leader K Kavitha in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, which involves investigations by both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

K Kavitha, a prominent figure in the political landscape, has been embroiled in the Delhi excise policy case, which has captured headlines for its intricate legal proceedings and implications for governance and accountability.

The case revolves around alleged irregularities and misconduct in the implementation of the excise policy in Delhi, raising serious questions about transparency and integrity in government affairs. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) have been conducting separate investigations into the matter, delving into various aspects of the alleged wrongdoing and scrutinizing key individuals involved, including K Kavitha.

In light of the gravity of the accusations and the complexity of the legal terrain, K Kavitha filed a bail plea before the Delhi High Court, seeking relief from the stringent conditions of custody pending trial.

During the hearing, both the prosecution and the defense presented their arguments, meticulously dissecting the evidence and legal precedents relevant to the case. The court, in turn, carefully deliberated on the submissions made by both sides, weighing the merits of the bail plea against the broader context of the ongoing investigations and the principles of justice.

Following the exhaustive proceedings, the Delhi High Court reserved its order on K Kavitha’s bail plea, signaling the anticipation and suspense surrounding the outcome of this pivotal legal battle.

The decision of the Delhi High Court will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications, not only for the individuals directly involved but also for the broader landscape of governance, accountability, and the rule of law in the capital city.

As stakeholders eagerly await the court’s ruling, the Delhi excise policy case continues to serve as a stark reminder of the importance of transparency, integrity, and accountability in public administration, underscoring the enduring significance of upholding the principles of justice and fairness in the corridors of power.

Excise Policy Case: Delhi HC to Pass Judgement on Manish Sisodia’s Bail Tomorrow

May 20, 2024, 10:27 pm

The Delhi High Court is set to deliver its verdict on Tuesday regarding the bail pleas filed by Manish Sisodia, a leader of the Aam Aadmi Party and former Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi, in relation to cases filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) concerning the Delhi Excise Policy case.

Recently, Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma’s bench reserved its decision on Sisodia’s bail pleas in both cases being probed by the ED and the CBI. During Manish Sisodia’s appearance, Senior Advocates Mohit Mathur and Dayan Krishnan referred to a Supreme Court ruling asserting that prolonged incarceration of the accused is impermissible, emphasizing the right to a speedy trial as a fundamental right. The lawyers also raised concerns about the ED’s conduct, alleging deliberate delays in the trial process.

On April 30, the Rouse Avenue Court rejected Sisodia’s bail petitions for the second time, stating, “…This court is not inclined to admit the Applicant to Bail, either regular or interim, at this stage. The application under consideration is accordingly dismissed.” Special Judge Kaveri Baweja remarked, “It is apparent that the Applicant individually, and along with different accused have been filing one or the other application/making oral submissions frequently, some of them frivolous, that too on a piecemeal basis, apparently as a concerted effort for accomplishing the shared purpose of causing delay in the matter.” The court differentiated between the period of incarceration of Benoy Babu and that of the applicant, noting the applicant’s acknowledgment of contributing to the slow pace of proceedings.

Sisodia has been in custody since February 26, 2023, initially arrested by the CBI and subsequently by the ED. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and BRS Leader K Kavitha were also arrested in connection with the excise policy case.

The ED and the CBI alleged irregularities in modifying the excise policy, including extending undue favors to license holders, waiving or reducing license fees, and extending the L-1 license without proper approval. The probe agencies claimed that beneficiaries diverted “illegal” gains to accused officials and falsified entries in their account books to avoid detection. Allegedly, the excise department decided to refund earnest money deposits of approximately Rs 30 crore to a successful tenderer against regulations. Additionally, despite no enabling provision, a waiver on tendered license fees was granted from December 28, 2021, to January 27, 2022, citing COVID-19, resulting in an alleged loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer.

Delhi Excise Case: Judicial Custody Extended for BRS Leader K Kavitha Until May 20

May 7, 2024, 5:02 pm

In a setback for Kavitha, a leader of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), a Delhi court has extended her judicial custody till May 20 in connection with the Delhi liquor excise policy case. This decision comes after her bail applications were dismissed by the court.

Judicial Custody Extension:

Kavitha’s judicial custody in both cases, investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), has been extended till May 20. She will continue to be held in Tihar Jail.

The recent dismissal of bail applications by the court means that Kavitha will remain in custody. Advocates Nitesh Rana, P. Mohith Rao, and Deepak Nagar represented her in court, but the pleas for regular bail were denied.

While being taken to Tihar Jail, Kavitha expressed her disappointment, calling it an injustice. She highlighted discrepancies in treatment, mentioning other political figures who have not faced similar legal actions.

Case Details:

The court’s decision follows the investigation into Kavitha’s role in the excise policy case. The ED argued against granting bail, citing concerns about potential tampering.

Kavitha’s case is part of a broader investigation into alleged irregularities related to the excise policy. The court has been actively handling matters related to this case, including the custody of other accused individuals.

The extension of Kavitha’s custody aligns with ongoing legal proceedings in the ED and CBI cases. The court’s decision underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the legal scrutiny surrounding them.

As Kavitha’s custody is extended, the legal battle continues, highlighting the complexities and consequences of the investigations into the Delhi liquor excise policy case involving political figures.

Excise Policy Case: No Bail to BRS leader K. Kavitha

May 7, 2024, 3:39 am

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Monday dismissed the bail applications filed by BRS leader K. Kavitha in corruption and money laundering cases being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the alleged excise policy scam.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja,has dismissed the applications, saying the stage was not right to grant the relief. K Kavitha is in judicial custody in both the cases lodged by the ED and the CBI. During the hearing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposed the plea, alleging that Kavitha had tampered with evidence and influenced witnesses in the case.

The agency accused Kavitha of being a pivotal member of the “South Group,” which purportedly paid kickbacks of Rs 100 crore to the ruling AAP in Delhi in exchange for a significant portion of liquor licenses in the capital. Kavitha, aged 46, was apprehended from her residence in Banjara Hills on March 15 amidst protests by BRS supporters.

Delhi Excise policy case: Court reserves order on bail of BRS leader K Kavitha; to announce order on May 6

April 24, 2024, 4:52 pm

Delhi’s Rouse Avenue court reserved its order on regular bail of BRS leader K Kavitha in the Delhi Excise policy money laundering case on Wednesday, April 24. The court will pronounce the order on May 6.

K Kavitha was sent to judicial custody until April 23, 2024, by the Rouse Avenue Court on Tuesday. She was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate recently in connection with a Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case.

Delhi's Rouse Avenue court reserves its order on regular bail of BRS leader K Kavitha in the Delhi Excise policy money laundering case.

The court will pronounce the order on May 6.

— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2024

According to her legal team, Kavitha was already in judicial custody in a money laundering case when she was taken into custody at 12:15 p.m. in Tihar Jail.

Earlier, CBI told the court that Kavitha had been questioned about the case on April 6 in Tihar Jail. “We are not filing any reply, we have already examined her on April 6,” Special Judge Kaveri Baweja was informed by the CBI attorney.

The CBI was given permission by the Delhi Court on April 5, 2024, to question K Kavitha on any day of the upcoming week while she is being held in judicial custody at Tihar Jail.

The CBI sought court permission to interrogate Kavitha regarding WhatsApp chats recovered from Buchi Babu’s phone and documents related to a land deal, post which Rs. 100 crores were allegedly paid to the Aam Aadmi Party in kickbacks.

Judicial custody of K Kavitha extended till April 23

April 15, 2024, 11:27 am

The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi ordered on Monday that Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha will be in judicial custody until April 23, 2024, in connection with the excise policy case.

Special Judge Kaveri Baweja issued the order after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) expressed no desire for her custodial remand in the matter, noting K Kavitha’s lack of cooperation.

Physically produced before the court at the conclusion of her three-day remand, K Kavitha was sent to judicial custody by the court. The judge remarked that based on the evidence collected by the investigating agency, a detailed and sustained interrogation of the accused seemed necessary.

The court further noted the agency’s indication that custodial interrogation of several accused was required to confront K Kavitha with evidence and witnesses, thereby unraveling the larger conspiracy.

BRS leader K Kavitha was apprehended by the CBI last week while already in judicial custody in the ED case. Advocate Nitesh Rana, along with Deepak Nagar and Mohit Rao, represented K Kavitha in court.

Earlier, the CBI had stated in its remand application that Kavitha Kalvakuntla’s arrest was necessary to conduct custodial interrogation, establish the money trail, and unearth the larger conspiracy related to the excise policy formulation and implementation.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested K Kavitha MLC, Telangana Legislative Council, on March 15, 2024, in connection with the alleged liquor policy scam.

The CBI inquiry was initiated based on findings of prima facie violations in various acts and rules, including the GNCTD Act 1991 and Delhi Excise Act-2009.

Both the ED and the CBI alleged irregularities in modifying the excise policy, extending undue favors, waiving or reducing license fees, and causing losses to the exchequer.

These allegations include instances of refunding earnest money deposits against set rules, allowing waivers on license fees due to COVID-19 without proper authority, resulting in significant financial losses.

CBI to produce BRS leader K Kavitha tomorrow before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court

April 11, 2024, 5:21 pm

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will present Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Friday. Kavitha was arrested earlier today by the CBI in connection with an alleged liquor policy scam. She faces charges under sections of criminal conspiracy and falsification of accounts of the Indian Penal Code, as well as certain sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Kavitha was taken into custody at 12.15 pm in Tihar Jail, where she was already under judicial custody in a money laundering case, according to her legal team.

The CBI had informed the court on Wednesday that Kavitha had been examined on April 6 in Tihar Jail in connection with the case. The CBI counsel told Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, “we are not filing any reply, we have already examined her on April 6.”

On April 5, 2024, the Delhi Court had granted permission to the CBI to examine K Kavitha during judicial custody in Tihar Jail on any day of the coming week.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had arrested K Kavitha MLC, Telangana Legislative Council, on March 15, 2024, in the case of the alleged liquor policy scam. A search was also conducted at her residence in Hyderabad on the same day.

The ED investigation revealed that K. Kavitha, along with others, conspired with top leaders of AAP, including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, to obtain favors in the Delhi Excise policy formulation and implementation. In exchange for these favors, she was allegedly involved in paying Rs. 100 crore to the AAP.

The ED has alleged that through acts of corruption and conspiracy in the formulation and implementation of Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, a continuous stream of illegal funds in the form of kickbacks from wholesalers was generated for the AAP.

The ED has filed one prosecution complaint and five supplementary complaints in the case so far. Assets worth Rs. 128.79 crore have been traced and attached via provisional attachment orders on January 24 and July 3 in 2023. Both attachment orders have been confirmed by the adjudicating authority in New Delhi.

The CBI inquiry was recommended based on the findings of the Delhi Chief Secretary’s report filed in July showing prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules-2010.

The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the excise policy, undue favors were extended to license holders, the license fee was waived or reduced, and the L-1 license was extended without the competent authority’s approval. The beneficiaries diverted “illegal” gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection, the probe agencies said.

According to the allegations, the Excise Department had decided to refund the earnest money deposit of about Rs. 30 crore to a successful tenderer against the set rules. A waiver on tendered license fees was allowed from December 28, 2021, to January 27, 2022, despite no enabling provision, due to COVID-19, resulting in an alleged loss of Rs. 144.36 crore to the exchequer.

Delhi Court extends judicial custody of BRS leader K Kavitha till April 23 in Excise Policy Case

April 9, 2024, 1:04 pm

The Rouse Avenue Court on Tuesday extended the judicial custody of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha till April 23, 2024, in relation to the excise policy money laundering case.

The Special Judge, Kaveri Baweja, allowed the plea of the Enforcement Directorate, stating that she’s made attempts to influence the witnesses, and tampered with evidence and hence her judicial custody should be extended by 14 days.

Advocate Nitesh Rana appeared for K Kavitha and opposed the ED plea, stating that there’s nothing new since she was arrested, there are no new grounds. The application doesn’t mention anything.

Meanwhile, the Court had refused to permit K Kavitha to address personally/orally and said she could give her submissions in written form.

Advocate Zoheb Hossain along with Naveen Kumar Matta and Simon Benjamin appeared for the Enforcement Directorate in the case while Advocates Nitesh Rana, Deepak Rana and Mohit Rao appeared for accused K Kavitha.

Recently, the same court had allowed the CBI plea to quiz/examine K Kavitha during judicial custody in the Tihar Jail on any day of the coming week.

CBI, through the application, sought court permission to interrogate, quiz and record the statement of BRS Leader K Kavitha regarding WhatsApp chats recovered from Buchi Babu’s phone and documents to a Land deal post which 100 crores were allegedly paid to Aam Aadmi Party in Kickbacks

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) arrested K. Kavitha MLC, Telangana Legislative Council, on March 15, 2024, in the case of the Delhi Liquor Policy Scam. A search was also conducted at the residence of K. Kavitha in Hyderabad on March 15, 2024. During the search proceedings, the ED officials were obstructed by the relatives and associates of K. Kavitha, said ED through a statement.

ED investigation revealed that K Kavitha along with others conspired with the top leaders of AAP including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia to get favours in the Delhi Excise policy formulation and implementation. In exchange for these favours, she was involved in paying Rs 100 Crore to the leaders of AAP.

Through acts of corruption and conspiracy in the formulation and implementation of Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22, a continuous stream of illegal funds in the form of kickbacks from wholesalers was generated for the AAP. Further, K. Kavitha and her associates were to recover the proceeds of crime paid in advance to AAP and to generate profits or proceeds of crime from this entire conspiracy, stated ED.

To date, the ED has conducted searches on 245 locations across the country, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and other places. 15 people, including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Vijay Nair from AAP, have been arrested in the case so far.

ED has filed 1 Prosecution Complaint and 5 Supplementary Complaints in the case so far.
Further, out of the proceeds of crime generated, assets worth Rs 128.79 crore have been traced so far and have been attached via provisional attachment orders dated January 24, 2023, and July 3, 2023. Both the attachment orders have been confirmed by the adjudicating authority in New Delhi.

ED has filed its first chargesheet in the case. The agency said it has so far undertaken nearly 200 search operations in this case after filing an FIR taking cognizance of a CBI case that was registered on the recommendation of the Delhi Lieutenant Governor.

The CBI inquiry was recommended on the findings of the Delhi Chief Secretary’s report filed in July showing prima facie violations of the GNCTD Act 1991, Transaction of Business Rules (ToBR)-1993, Delhi Excise Act-2009, and Delhi Excise Rules- 2010, officials had said.
The ED and the CBI had alleged that irregularities were committed while modifying the Excise Policy, undue favours were extended to licence holders, the licence fee was waived or reduced and the L-1 licence was extended without the competent authority’s approval. The beneficiaries diverted “illegal” gains to the accused officials and made false entries in their books of account to evade detection, the probe agencies said.

As per the allegations, the excise department had decided to refund the earnest money deposit of about Rs 30 crore to a successful tenderer against the set rules. Even though there was no enabling provision, a waiver on tendered licence fees was allowed from December 28, 2021, to January 27, 2022, due to COVID-19, the probe agency said and there was an alleged loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer.

Arvind Kejriwal’s morning begins with tea, breakfast in Tihar jail

April 2, 2024, 10:54 am

As per reports, Arvind Kejriwal, the Chief Minister of Delhi, who was remanded to 15-day judicial custody on April 1 due to his involvement in the now-defunct liquor policy case, commenced his morning in Tihar Jail, adhering to the prison’s regulations. He began his day with tea and breakfast.

A Delhi court had ordered Kejriwal’s 15-day judicial custody in the excise policy case, directing his stay in Tihar Jail until April 15. He has been granted permission to have home-cooked meals and carry prescribed medications for his diabetes.

Kejriwal is currently housed in Jail Number 2 of Tihar Jail, provided with an isolation room equipped with a table and chair for three books, as per the court’s directive. Despite the limited space, he slept on a separate bed from the regular ones provided by the authorities, reportedly without any complaints.

Officials noted that Kejriwal kept his medical devices, including a sugar sensor and glucometer, along with isabgol, glucose, and toffees on his table, following the court’s instructions to manage sudden fluctuations in his blood sugar levels.

On Tuesday, Kejriwal rose early and received breakfast and tea at 6:40 am. After an early lunch, he was required to return to his cell by noon and stay there until 3 pm.

Kejriwal was transferred to jail on Monday afternoon following the conclusion of his Enforcement Directorate custodial remand. The ED depicted him as the main figure in the alleged scam, accusing him of providing evasive responses and withholding relevant information during the investigation.

This isn’t Kejriwal’s first time in Tihar jail; he was previously incarcerated in 2014 after refusing to post bail of Rs 10,000 in a defamation case filed against him by BJP leader Nitin Gadkari.

Other AAP leaders currently detained in Tihar include Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain, and Sanjay Singh. Additionally, K Kavitha, a leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, is also housed in Tihar jail.

Delhi excise scam: BRS leader K Kavitha sent to judicial custody till April 9

March 26, 2024, 1:14 pm

The Rouse Avenue Court has extended Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha’s judicial custody until April 9 in relation to the Delhi excise policy-linked money laundering case. The court has also scheduled a hearing for April 1 to consider an interim bail plea filed by K Kavitha.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought Kavitha’s judicial custody, citing concerns about her potential influence over witnesses and evidence tampering if released. The agency stated that the investigation into economic crimes, such as those alleged in this case, is complex and requires careful scrutiny.

Kavitha, a Telangana Member of Legislative Council (MLC) and the daughter of former chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, was arrested on March 15 in Hyderabad. She was remanded to ED custody the following day after a search operation at her residence.

Earlier, the Supreme Court declined to entertain K Kavitha’s bail plea in the Delhi excise policy case, directing her to approach the trial court for bail expeditiously.

The case revolves around allegations that Kavitha conspired with top leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, to gain advantages in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise policy, allegedly involving a payment of Rs 100 crore to AAP leaders.

The ED’s investigation stemmed from a report by Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena in July 2022, highlighting procedural irregularities in the policy’s formulation.

The ED has alleged that the policy was designed to benefit private entities in the wholesale liquor business, with a kickback scheme involving AAP leaders. Sisodia was arrested earlier in connection with the case.

Kavitha’s arrest is linked to her alleged involvement with the “South Group,” identified as a group of individuals who allegedly paid kickbacks to AAP leaders. Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was remanded to ED custody until March 28 in the same case, following his arrest by the probe agency.

K Kavitha’s custody extended till March 26, she claims “arrest illegal will fight in court”

March 23, 2024, 3:52 pm

The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has extended BRS leader K. Kavitha’s ED remand until March 26. As she was brought before the court on Saturday, she alleged that her arrest is illegal and stated that she intends to contest it in court.

Kavitha told reporters, “This is an illegal arrest. We are going to fight it out in court. It is a political case, a fabricated case, a false case. We are fighting it out. There is nothing new, they are asking the same things again and again.”

“Why so many arrests during election time. political arrest. ECI should intervene,” she added after the verdict was read out.

The BRS leader was produced before the Special Judge in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case, as her ED custody ended on that day. The ED had applied for an extension of K. Kavitha’s remand for another five days.

The national probe agency, while seeking a further five days’ remand of the BRS leader, informed the court that searches are underway at her nephew Mekha Saran’s residence.

Earlier on Friday, the Supreme Court declined to entertain K Kavitha’s bail plea in the Delhi excise policy case and directed her to approach the trial court, stating that the bail application, if filed, should be decided expeditiously.

A bench of justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh, and Bela M Trivedi remarked that it has to follow a uniform policy for all and cannot allow people to approach the top court directly for bail as they are political figures.

The court said that Kavitha could move the trial court or use any other remedy for bail. It directed that if a bail application is filed, it should be decided expeditiously.

K Kavitha, through her advocate P Mohith Rao, moved the Supreme Court on Monday challenging her arrest by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case relating to Delhi excise policy irregularities.

Kavitha, who was arrested by an ED team on March 15, is in ED’s custodial interrogation for seven days. She was arrested after a search operation conducted at her residence in Hyderabad on the same day.

In her petition, the BRS leader has also challenged her remand and stated that the remand order does not adhere to Article 141, which states that the law declared by the Supreme Court shall be binding on all courts within the territory of India. K Kavitha in her plea also challenged section 19 (1) of the PMLA Act.

Earlier, the Enforcement Directorate claimed that Kavitha allegedly conspired with the top leaders of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia to get favors in the Delhi Excise policy formulation and implementation, and she was involved in paying Rs 100 crore to the AAP leaders in exchange for these favors.

ED’s claims came three days after it arrested Kavitha, MLC of Telangana Legislative Council, in the alleged case of Delhi Liquor Policy Scam.

Meanwhile, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was remanded to the custody of the Enforcement Directorate for seven days, till March 28, a day after he was arrested by the probe agency in connection with the Delhi Excise Policy case.

Two senior AAP leaders, Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh, are in judicial custody in the excise policy case. Sisodia, who was the then Delhi Deputy Chief Minister, was arrested by the CBI on February 26 following several rounds of questioning. On October 5, ED arrested Sanjay Singh, who is a Rajya Sabha member.

BRS leader K Kavitha withdraws her plea against ED summons in the Supreme Court

March 19, 2024, 12:21 pm

BRS leader K Kavitha withdrew her plea from the Supreme Court challenging the ED summons related to the Delhi excise irregularities case after her arrest.

Kavitha’s plea challenging her arrest remains pending before the Supreme Court. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged that she conspired with top leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, to obtain favors in the formulation and implementation of the Delhi Excise policy. The ED claimed that she was involved in paying Rs 100 crore to AAP leaders in exchange for these favors.

The ED arrested Kavitha, an MLC of the Telangana Legislative Council, in connection with the alleged Delhi Liquor Policy Scam. She is currently in ED’s custody for interrogation until March 23, following her arrest on March 15 after a search operation at her residence in Hyderabad.

During the search, ED officials alleged obstruction by Kavitha’s relatives and associates. The ED stated, “K Kavitha, along with others, allegedly conspired with the top leaders of AAP for getting favors in the Delhi Excise policy formulation and implementation.”

The ED has conducted searches at 245 locations across the country, including Delhi, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Mumbai. Fifteen individuals, including Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh, and Vijay Nair from AAP, have been arrested in the case. The ED has filed one prosecution complaint and five supplementary complaints so far.

The ED also claimed that assets worth Rs 128.79 crore, generated from the proceeds of crime, have been traced and attached.