The Rouse Avenue court in the national capital rejected Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha’s detailed interim bail application on Monday, which she filed citing her minor son’s school examinations.
Kavitha is currently in judicial custody following her remand by the ED in the excise policy case. The interim bail plea was dismissed by Special Judge Kaveri Baweja, though a comprehensive bail order is still pending upload.
The ED opposed Kavitha’s bail plea, alleging that she tampered with evidence on her phone and coerced witnesses into retracting their statements. Despite Kavitha’s plea for bail due to her son’s exams, the court sided with the ED’s arguments.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Kavitha, argued that exceptions under Section 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) should apply to her as a woman. Singhvi emphasized the emotional support needed for Kavitha’s minor child during the exams.
However, advocate Zoheb Hossain, the special counsel for ED, countered these arguments, presenting evidence of Kavitha’s involvement in destroying evidence and influencing witnesses.
Hossain highlighted instances where Kavitha deleted data from her phone and tampered with multiple devices. He argued against granting interim relief to Kavitha, citing the ongoing investigative efforts and the risk of her influencing the probe.
Additionally, the ED counsel referred to statements made by Arun Pillai, indicating further complications in the case.