K Kavitha, a prominent leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and daughter of Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, was released from jail on Tuesday evening after spending five months behind bars. The Supreme Court granted her conditional bail in connection with the Delhi liquor policy case, where she faced charges of alleged corruption and money laundering.
The Supreme Court’s decision to release Ms. Kavitha came with sharp criticism of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED), the two central agencies responsible for investigating the case. The bench expressed concerns about the “fairness” of their investigation, stating, “Sorry to see this state of affairs.” The court questioned the integrity of the prosecution, highlighting concerns over selective targeting and the fairness of the investigative process.
As Ms. Kavitha stepped out of the prison complex, she was met with a warm reception from BRS workers and supporters who played drums and burst crackers in celebration. Her brother, BRS working president KT Rama Rao, was also present to welcome her.
In her first remarks after being released, the defiant leader declared, “We are fighters, we will fight it out legally and politically. They have only made the BRS and KCR’s team unbreakable.” Ms. Kavitha, visibly emotional, reunited with her family, expressing her resolve to prove her innocence.
“Only because of politics, I was put behind bars. I made no mistake. I will fight and prove I’m innocent,” Ms. Kavitha said, fighting back tears. “I am Telangana’s daughter, KCR’s daughter. I cannot commit a mistake. I am stubborn and good.”
Addressing the media at the BRS party office, she vowed to seek justice for the ordeal she and her family endured. “I will return with interest to those who put me and my family through this ordeal. Our time will come,” she asserted.
Ms. Kavitha’s five-and-a-half-month incarceration, particularly challenging as a mother separated from her children, came to an end after the Supreme Court determined that her custody was no longer necessary. The court observed that the investigations by both the CBI and ED were complete, and the charge sheet and prosecution complaint had already been filed.
“The appellant (Kavitha) is directed to be released forthwith on bail … on furnishing bail bonds in the sum of ₹10 lakh in each of the cases,” the bench ruled, allowing her appeals against the Delhi High Court’s earlier decision to deny her bail.
The Supreme Court’s criticism of the investigation extended to questioning the prosecution’s approach, noting the irregularity of making a person who incriminates themselves a witness while selectively choosing whom to charge. The court’s comments underscored the need for fairness and impartiality in the judicial process.
Senior lawyer Mukul Rohatgi, representing Ms. Kavitha, argued that the investigation against her was complete, referencing the Supreme Court’s recent verdict granting bail to co-accused and senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia in the same cases.
As Ms. Kavitha begins her legal and political fight, her release marks a significant moment in the ongoing controversy surrounding the Delhi liquor policy case, with implications for the BRS and Telangana’s political landscape.
Sources By Agencies
