BRS leader K. Kavitha
– Photo: ANI
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In the Delhi High Court on Friday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposed the bail plea of BRS leader K Kavitha in the money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam. The investigating agency said that her release may affect further investigation to unearth the scam. In its reply to Kavitha’s bail plea, the ED argued that the Telangana MLA is a highly influential person. She is accused of committing serious economic crimes. It said that she has the ability to tamper with evidence and influence witnesses.
The accused conspired with others and was actively involved in the payment of bribes worth Rs 100 crore. Then through her proxies, set up a money laundering ecosystem i.e. M/s Indo Spirits, which generated crime proceeds of Rs 192.8 crore. By such acts, K Kavitha is involved in various processes and activities related to proceeds of crime (POC) of Rs 292.8 crore, the investigating agency said in its counter affidavit.
On Friday, Judge Swarn Kanta Sharma heard partial arguments of Kavita’s lawyer and listed the matter for further proceedings on May 27. Kavita has challenged the trial court’s May 6 order, under which her bail plea was rejected in the CBI corruption case as well as the ED money laundering case. Kavita’s lawyer said that she is the only woman among the 50 accused in the excise case and urged the court to consider granting her bail, as the law puts women in a different place.
In another petition filed by co-accused Arun Ramachandran Pillai, the CBI informed the high court that it is likely to file a chargesheet against Kavitha by the first week of June for her alleged role in the corruption case. Opposing Kavitha’s bail plea, the ED said there is sufficient evidence to link her with the offence of money laundering. Huge amounts of proceeds of crime have been found to have been laundered. Investigation is on to unearth the proceeds of crime. If she is released on bail, there is a reasonable apprehension that crucial evidence will be destroyed. Her release on bail will adversely affect further investigation to unearth the deep-rooted multi-layered conspiracy, it said.
