This morning, Special Judge (PC Act) Kaveri Baweja of the Rouse Avenue Courts extended the judicial custody of Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) leader K Kavitha until April 23 in connection with her arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on April 11 in the Delhi Liquor Policy case.

Earlier, Kavitha had been remanded to the custody of the CBI until April 15. Following the conclusion of this custody period, she was brought before the trial court this morning. The CBI, alleging her non-compliance with their inquiries, requested an extension of custody by fourteen days.

Advocate Nitesh Rana, representing Kavitha, opposed the CBI's plea for an extension of custody.

The Court ultimately ruled to remand the BRS leader to judicial custody until April 23. Kavitha was arrested by the CBI on April 11 while she was already in judicial custody.

On March 15, she had been arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in Hyderabad. This arrest was related to allegations linking her to a money laundering case associated with the alleged Delhi excise scam.

The case against Kavitha and others dates back to 2022 when the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a First Information Report (FIR). The FIR alleged manipulation of the Delhi Excise Policy of 2021-22, aimed at facilitating the monopolization and cartelization of wholesale and retail liquor trade in Delhi.

The case was registered under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Specifically, it was alleged that individuals from South India had benefited from the process, and a portion of their profits was purportedly given to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). In addition to this, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting a separate investigation into allegations of money laundering related to the case.

Kavitha's counsel raised concerns regarding the timing of her arrest and argued that the evidence being presented by the CBI to justify her arrest was significantly dated.

Kavitha's counsel pointed out the proximity to the upcoming Lok Sabha elections and accused the central agency of attempting to extend the custody of a prominent leader by arresting her in this secondary case.