K Kavitha Remanded to CBI Custody Until April 15 in Delhi’s Excise Policy Case

A Delhi court on Friday extended Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha’s custody with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) until April 15 in connection with the alleged Delhi liquor excise policy case. Kavitha was apprehended on Thursday by the CBI from Tihar jail, where she was detained in judicial custody related to a parallel money laundering investigation.

The agency sought a five-day remand for Kavitha, asserting her role as a key conspirator. Earlier, on April 6, the CBI had visited Tihar Jail, obtaining permission from Special Judge Kaveri Baweja on April 5, to question Kavitha during her judicial custody.

Advocates Vikram Chaudhary, Nitesh Rana, and Deepak Nagar contested the CBI’s application, arguing that the evidence presented by the agency was outdated and lacked relevance to the necessity for arrest. They claimed that procedural norms were overlooked and principles of natural justice disregarded. Moreover, they emphasized the failure to adhere to Section 41 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) regarding grounds for arrest communication.

Highlighting the timing of the arrest, given Kavitha’s status as a sitting MLC in Telangana and her pivotal role in a national political party with impending Lok Sabha elections in Telangana, the defense underscored the potential repercussions.

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After hearing arguments from both sides, the court granted the CBI custody of Kavitha for three days, scheduling her next appearance for April 15 at 10 a.m. Kavitha was initially apprehended by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on March 15 from her Hyderabad residence and has remained in judicial custody since March 26.

This arrest marks a significant development in the case, following previous apprehensions of high-profile figures such as former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, both senior AAP leaders, as well as the recent arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal on March 21.

In a related development, the Supreme Court granted bail to AAP leader Singh on April 2. Earlier this week, the court dismissed Kavitha’s interim bail application, considering her minor son’s examination, citing her “active involvement” in the offense, including destruction of evidence and tampering with witnesses.