BRS Leader K Kavitha's Bail Pleas Dismissed in Excise Policy Cases; Alleges Political Targeting Ahead of 2024 Elections

The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi dismissed bail pleas by Bharatiya Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha in cases related to the Excise policy. Judge Kaveri Baweja dismissed bail petitions in both CBI and ED cases. Kavitha was represented by Senior Advocates Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Vikram Chaudhari, and others.

Kavitha alleged that investigative agencies were politically targeting her to tarnish her image and that of her father, the former Chief Minister of Telangana, ahead of the 2024 general elections. She was arrested by the ED on March 15, 2024, and by the CBI on April 11, 2024.

The CBI argued that Kavitha's custodial interrogation was necessary to probe the larger conspiracy behind the Excise Policy violations. The probe was initiated based on a report by the Delhi Chief Secretary in July, alleging violations of various regulations.

Both the ED and the CBI accused officials and license holders of irregularities, including waiving or reducing license fees and extending licenses without proper approval. They claimed that illegal gains were diverted to accused officials and false entries made in account books to evade detection. The Excise Department's decision to refund earnest money deposit and waiver of license fees allegedly caused a loss of Rs 144.36 crore to the exchequer.