Delhi Excise scam: BRS leader Kavitha remanded in judicial custody

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha has been remanded to judicial custody till April 9 in connection with a money laundering case linked to Delhi Excise Policy scam.She was produced before a Delhi court after the expiry of her Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody on Tueasday. Special Judge Kaveri Baweja of Rouse Avenue court passed the order after the ED asked the court to send Kavitha to judicial custody for a period of 15 days. The ED’s counsel told the court that Kavitha is a highly influential person and there is every likelihood that she will influence the witnesses and tamper with the evidence if released. Enforcement Directorate further argued that Kavitha’s role in the Excise policy case is still being investigated and the ED is unearthing the further proceeds of crime and identifying other persons involved in the crime. 
The ED underlined that for both interim and regular bail there were stringent provisions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).The agency has alleged that Kavitha, the daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, was a key member of the 'South Group' that has been accused of paying the AAP kickbacks of Rs 100 crore in return for a big share of liquor licences in the national capital.Kavitha's counsel also sought permission for physically inspecting the documents submitted by the agency in a sealed cover under provisions 19 (2) of the PMLA.According to the provision, the authorities concerned, immediately after making an arrest were required to forward the arrest order along with the material in its possession to the court.Kavitha was arrested on March 15 from Hyderabad, hours after an ED team searched the premises and interrogated her. On March 16, the Rouse Avenue Court had remanded her to ED custody for a week.