Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha has moved the Supreme Court challenging her arrest by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam case, as reported by Bar and Bench.

After a day-long interrogation and searches at her residence, K Kavitha was arrested by the ED on March 15 from Hyderabad.

Also Read:ED arrests BRS leader Kavitha in Delhi liquor case, family demands to see ‘transit warrant’

Advocate P Mohith Rao filed a plea in the Supreme Court. Kavitha was sent to ED custody for a week by a Delhi court on March 16 after she was arrested by the central agency. This led to the plea in the Supreme Court.

The plea argues against Kavitha’s arrest under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED has alleged Kavitha’s association with a “South Group” lobby of liquor traders, purportedly attempting to exert influence under the now-defunct Delhi excise policy for 2021-22.

Also Read:Delhi court sends BRS leader K Kavitha to ED custody till March 23

According to ED, one of the accused in the case, Vijay Nair, received kickbacks amounting to at least Rs 100 crore on behalf of AAP leaders from the “South Group”, allegedly under the control of Sarath Reddy, K Kavitha, and Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy.

Kavitha was interrogated by the ED thrice last year in this case, and again summoned this year, but did not appear, citing a Supreme Court directive granting her protection from coercive action.

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Following her arrest, K Kavitha was transported to Delhi, where Special Judge MK Nagpal of Rouse Avenue remanded her to ED custody till March 23.

Notably, a plea filed by Kavitha against ED summons is currently pending before the Supreme Court and is scheduled for hearing on March 19, Tuesday. With the arrest, Kavitha became the third prominent political figure to be arrested by the ED in the excise policy case, following former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and AAP Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh, who are already in custody. Sisodia’s recent curative petition seeking release from custody was dismissed.