Delhi liquor policy case: Court reserves order on CBI plea seeking custody of BRS leader K Kavitha

Delhi Rouse Avenue Court on Friday reserved its verdict on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) plea seeking five-day custody of BRS leader K Kavitha, arrested  in relation to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. The BRS leader and daughter of former Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao was held in Tihar Jail, where she has been lodged after her arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

After hearing the arguments by the CBI and the Counsel appearing for BRS leader K Kavitha on the application, Special Judge Kaveri Baweja reserved the order. During the hearing, CBI told the court that K Kavitha was not cooperating in the probe and was evasive in her replies. 

Meanwhile, Advocate Nitesh Rana, appearing for the BRS leader opposed the CBI’s plea, terming the arrest illegal. He also accused the investigation agency of violating K Kavitha’s fundamental rights. The CBI officials had recently interrogated K Kavitha inside prison after obtaining permission from a special court. 

Earlier on March 15, the Enforcement Directorate arrested the BRS leader from her Banjara Hills residence in Hyderabad. On April 8, the Delhi Rouse Avenue Court dismissed the interim bail application moved by BRS leader K Kavitha in the money-laundering case linked to the now-scrapped Delhi excise policy.

The BRS leader on April 6, moved a city court urging it to repeal its order that permitted the CBI to interrogate her in Tihar jail.  Advocate Nitesh Rana representing K Kavitha alleged that the CBI thwarted the due process of law by filing a plea that sought permission to question her behind her back. He said that the leader has grave apprehension that CBI may not have divulged true facts in order to obtain a favourable order from the court.

The counsel asked the court to suspend its April 5 order that allowed Kavitha’s questioning in judicial custody until her stand was heard and taken into account. Nonetheless, special Judge Kaveri Baweja did not grant any interim relief to Kavitha for Enforcement Directorate (ED) and CBI cases.