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During the hearing of Bhartiya Rashtra Samithi leader K Kavitha’s petition against her arrest by the Enforcement Directorate on alleged money laundering in connivance with top Aam Aadmi party leaders, the judges of Supreme Court gave the senior counsel an earful.
The bench comprising Justices Sanjeev Khanna, MM Sundaresh and Bela M Trivedi asked him not to virtue signal the court. “Just because she is a politician, we cannot grant relief, she has to approach trial court,” the bench said, after the Senior counsel Kapil Sibal asked the bench to consider hearing his submissions.
“Don’t get emotional, hearing the Vijay Madanlal challenge..as fair as bail is concerned, WE ARE VERY CLEAR YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE TRIAL COURT...All of us are clear that only because it is a political person, we cannot grant relief..,” the bench pointed out.
After this, Sibal said that it is essential for the courts to remember their legacy. “Milords, may I say something..when the history of this court will be written, this will not be in gold..,” he said
However, at this juncture, the bench quipped back saying, “Its okay, we will see”.
Effectively, the leader who is being represented by Sibal did not get relief, with the bench thrusting on following the usual process of law for seeking interim relief.
When K Kavitha was arrested last week, the ED’s statement declared, “Investigation has revealed that K Kavitha along with others allegedly conspired with the top leaders of AAP including Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia for getting favours in the Delhi Excise policy-formulation and implementation. In exchange for these favours, she was allegedly involved in paying 100 Crore to the leaders of AAP."
Yesterday, the Delhi Chief Minister was arrested by ED officials after he was known to have evaded nine summons issued by them for investigation into allegations of conspiracy and money laundering.
Kavitha was granted interim protection from arrest by the Supreme Court on February 28, 2024 when she had approached court against the summons issued by the Enforcement Directorate.
CBI had asked the BRS leader to appear for questioning, which she had skipped citing multiple "pressing" public engagements.
The instant money laundering case stems from a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) FIR.
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