A Delhi Court's decision on Monday dashed the hopes of BRS leader K Kavitha for interim bail in connection with her arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) regarding the money laundering case linked to the purported liquor policy scandal.
The plea for interim bail put forth by Kavitha was rejected by Special CBI judge Kaveri Baweja, with a detailed order expected to follow.
Kavitha had been placed in judicial custody until April 9 since her arrest on March 15, following searches by the ED and the Income Tax department at her residence in Hyderabad.
Initially, she was in ED custody until March 23, a period later extended by three days.
Representing Kavitha, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued for the court's discretion in granting bail, emphasizing the unique circumstances, especially concerning her role as a mother to a 16-year-old son preparing for exams.
However, opposing the bail plea, special counsel Zoheb Hossain, representing the ED, contended that Kavitha's status as a prominent political figure disqualified her from the compassionate considerations granted to certain categories of women under Section 45 of PMLA.
Zoheb presented allegations of Kavitha's involvement in tampering with evidence and coercion of witnesses, claiming she had a pivotal role in orchestrating bribes and kickbacks related to the excise policy.
The arrest memo detailed the circumstances of Kavitha's apprehension at her Hyderabad residence and subsequent legal proceedings, including her withdrawal of a plea challenging ED summons in the Supreme Court.
The ED's wider investigation into financial irregularities surrounding the defunct liquor policy and the alleged influence of a 'south liquor lobby' has drawn Kavitha into its focus, with summons issued to her in March 2023.
Despite Kavitha's challenges to the legality of these summons, the legal battle continues, reflecting the complexity and significance of the case.
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