On Friday, the Delhi High Court issued a notice regarding the plea filed by BRS leader K Kavitha, who is seeking bail in the money laundering case connected to the now scrapped liquor policy.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma presided over the proceedings, issuing a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and scheduling the matter for hearing on May 24.
Representing Kavitha, Senior Advocate Vikram Chaudhary, alongside Advocate Nitesh Rana, appeared before the court. Special Counsel Zoheb Hossain represented the ED, while Advocates Deepak Nagar and Mohith Rao filed the plea.
Case So Far:
Kavitha, who is currently in judicial custody, faced denial of bail by the trial court in both the money laundering case and a corruption case lodged by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on 6 May.
The arrest of Kavitha by the ED occurred on the evening of 15 March, with subsequent arrest by the CBI while she was in judicial custody. The CBI obtained court permission to interrogate Kavitha in jail.
Additionally implicated in the ED case are AAP leaders Manish Sisodia and Sanjay Singh. Sisodia remains in custody, while Singh was recently granted bail by the Supreme Court following an ED concession.
The ED has alleged that Kavitha and others, including Sarath Reddy, Raghav Magunta, and Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy of the South Group, conspired with top AAP leaders.
The purported aim was to secure undue favors in the formulation and implementation of the excise policy, in exchange for kickbacks amounting to Rs. 100 Crore.
The agency contends that this scheme involved orchestrating deals with the Delhi Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, facilitated by intermediaries and middlemen.
Conversely, the CBI alleges that Sarath Reddy engaged in the liquor business based on assurances from Kavitha regarding her influence within the Delhi Government.
It is claimed that Kavitha demanded Rs. 25 crores from Sarath Chandra Reddy for five retail zones, under the guise of having paid Rs. 100 crores upfront to the AAP for favorable provisions in the Excise Policy.
The case has attracted significant attention due to its implications on the nexus between political figures and economic interests. It also shed light on alleged corruption within the administration’s policy-making processes.
Also Read: TMC MLA Manik Bhattacharya Withdraws Bail Plea in Money Laundering Case
