On Tuesday, the Supreme Court granted bail to BRS leader K Kavitha. The court directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to present evidence supporting their claim that Kavitha was involved in the alleged Delhi excise policy scam. The bench, consisting of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan, was addressing Kavithas bail applications related to corruption and money laundering cases under investigation by these agencies.Legal proceedings and allegationsSenior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Kavitha, argued for her bail, noting that the investigations by the CBI and ED were completed. He also referenced the Supreme Courts recent decision to grant bail to AAP leader Manish Sisodia, a co-accused in the same cases.In response, Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the investigation agencies, alleged that Kavitha had tampered with evidence by destroying or formatting her mobile phone. Rohatgi dismissed this claim as bogus.Courts inquiry and next stepsThe bench questioned Raju about the evidence implicating Kavitha in the alleged crime. The courts inquiry is ongoing. On August 12, the Supreme Court had requested responses from the CBI and ED regarding Kavithas challenge to a July 1 order by the Delhi High Court, which had denied her bail. The High Court had previously dismissed Kavithas bail pleas, identifying her as a principal conspirator in the formulation and implementation of the now-scrapped Delhi Excise Policy 2021-22.
