Excise scam: ED opposes Kavitha's bail plea, says release to affect probe to unearth conspiracy
Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday opposed in the Delhi High Court the bail plea of BRS leader K Kavitha in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise policy scam, saying her release would adversely affect further investigation to unearth the «deep-rooted, multi-layered conspiracy». The ED, in its reply to Kavitha's bail plea, contended that the Telangana lawmaker is a «highly influential» individual and stands accused of having committed a grave economic offence. She has the potential to tamper with evidence and influence witnesses, it said.
«K Kavitha has conspired with other people and actively involved in payment of kickbacks to the tune of Rs 100 crore and then in establishing the money laundering ecosystem, that is, M/s Indo Spirits through her proxy which generated proceeds of crime of Rs 192.8 crore. By such acts, K Kavitha is involved in various processes and activities relating to proceeds of crime (POC) to the tune of Rs 292.8 crore,» the probe agency said in its counter affidavit.
On Friday, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma heard part arguments advanced by Kavitha's counsel and listed the matter for further proceedings on May 27.
Kavitha has challenged the trial court's May 6 order by which her bail applications in the CBI's corruption case as well as the ED's money laundering case were dismissed.
Kavitha's lawyer submitted that out of the 50 accused in the excise matter, she is the lone woman, and urged the court to consider granting her bail as law keeps women on a different pedestal.
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