New Delhi: In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of India has granted bail to K Kavitha, a prominent political figure, in the high-profile liquor policy case. The apex court’s decision comes after K Kavitha had spent five months behind bars, with the investigation now complete and the chargesheet filed. The court ruled that her continued custody was no longer necessary.
The Supreme Court highlighted that the chances of the trial concluding in the near future were slim, making the prolonged detention unjustified. “The investigation is complete and the chargesheet has been filed. The custody of the appellant is not necessary. She has been behind bars for 5 months. The likelihood of the trial being concluded in the near future is impossible,” the court observed in its ruling.
In addition to granting bail, the Supreme Court took strong exception to the earlier Delhi High Court order, which had refused to apply the beneficial provisions applicable to women under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Supreme Court questioned the fairness of the CBI and ED’s investigation in this case, raising concerns about the possible misuse of legal processes.
This ruling is likely to have significant implications for the ongoing investigation and the broader political landscape, as it underscores the judiciary’s vigilance in ensuring that legal provisions are fairly applied, particularly in cases involving prolonged detention without the likelihood of a timely trial.
The decision marks a critical juncture in the case and will be closely watched as the trial progresses.
