Delhi excise policy case: SC denies bail to BRS leader K Kavitha, saying ‘cannot bypass protocol’

The Supreme Court on Friday refused to grant bail to BRS leader K Kavitha, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the Delhi excise tax scam case.

BRS MLC K Kavitha produced at the Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi earlier this month. (ANI photo)

Delhi Excise Policy Case: BRS leader K Kavitha On Friday, bail was denied by the Supreme Court in the alleged Delhi excise policy “scam” case. The Supreme Court noted that it cannot circumvent the protocol for any person and must maintain uniformity.

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna, MM Sundresh and Bela M Trivedi told K Kavitha to approach the court, citing the practice of the Supreme Court and that the protocol cannot be circumvented by anyone.

On Kavitha’s plea challenging the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the top court issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), asking the agency to file a response within six weeks.

“The petition challenging the provisions will raise the pending cases,” the bench told senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing on behalf of Kavitha.

Sibal said initially that people are arrested on the basis of a clear statement.

The court said it would not comment on the merits of the case at this time.

Kavitha has moved the Supreme Court challenging her arrest by the ED in connection with the Delhi excise policy case.

Kavitha, member of Telangana Legislative Council and daughter of former state Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, was arrested on March 15 and remanded in ED custody till March 23.

(With PTI inputs)