The Delhi High Court has issued a formal notice to K Kavitha, informing her of a petition challenging her discharge from the Delhi liquor policy case. This follows a prior ruling on February 27th by a special court that discharged all accused, citing insufficient evidence and procedural missteps by the investigating agencies. The CBI has now appealed this discharge order in the Delhi High Court, prompting the fresh notice to Kavitha. The hearing is slated for March 16.
The CBI's appeal, presented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, criticizes the trial court's discharge order as "one of the largest scams in the history of the national capital." Mehta argued that the trial court's decision, which came just 12 days after submissions concluded on a substantial 600-page judgment, functioned as an acquittal without a proper trial. The High Court has agreed to examine the CBI's revision petition with "care" and has directed the trial court to pause proceedings in the related Enforcement Directorate money-laundering case until a decision is reached.
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Investigation Resurfaces After Acquittal
A team from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) visited Kavitha's residence in Hyderabad to hand-deliver the notice. The notice pertains to the CBI's challenge against the Rouse Avenue Court's verdict, which had cleared Kavitha and 23 other individuals. Kavitha, a former MLC and president of Telangana Jagruthi, had previously been arrested in connection with the case and spent five months in jail before her release. She confirmed receiving the notice via social media, stating she is consulting her legal team and will respond through official channels, emphasizing a commitment to cooperating with authorities.
The earlier discharge order by Special Judge Jitendra Singh had faulted the CBI's case for relying heavily on "uncorroborated approver statements" and for exhibiting procedural infirmities. While the High Court has not stayed the acquittal itself, it has put a hold on any adverse remarks made against the agency and its officers by the trial court.
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Background Dynamics
This development marks a significant turn in the Delhi excise policy case, occurring shortly after the lower court's sweeping acquittal. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has also filed a separate plea with the Delhi High Court, seeking to expunge remarks made against it in the trial court's order. Kavitha herself had recently severed ties with the Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) following her expulsion on charges of anti-party activities. Despite the ongoing legal scrutiny, she has publicly maintained her innocence. The court's directive to defer proceedings in the ED case until the CBI's appeal is resolved highlights the interconnected nature of these investigations.