Delhi excise policy case: Kavitha asks CBI to withdraw notice summoning her for questioning
New Delhi, Feb 26: BRS leader K Kavitha has asked the CBI to withdraw the notice issued to her under Section 41-A of CrPC summoning her for questioning in connection with the Delhi excise policy scam case.
She was asked to appear before the investigation team at the CBI headquarters here on Monday.
In a letter to the CBI, the daughter of former Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said the notice to appear at the probe agency's headquarters should be put in abeyance in the light of her pressing onerous engagements coupled with the necessity of her personal presence in the state while the parliamentary elections are underway.
"I may request you to firstly revoke or withdraw the subject notice as it appears to be sent by invoking Section 41A CrPC while not being aware or conscious of the earlier notice sent under Section 160 CrPC," she said.
A notice under Section 41A of CrPC is issued to a person against whom a "reasonable suspicion" exists that the person had committed a cognizable offence. Section 160 of the CrPC pertains to summoning a witness.
Kavita said the notice under Section 41A CrPC was in complete contrast to the earlier notice under Section 160 of CrPC which was issued to her on December 2, 2022, and which already stands complied with.
"There is absolutely no logic, reason or background forthcoming as to how, why and under what circumstances you have now resorted to Section 41A CrPC," she said.
The CBI earlier recorded her statement in December 2022 at her residence in Hyderabad.
The Enforcement Directorate has alleged that one of the accused in the case Vijay Nair received kickbacks to the tune of at least Rs 100 crore from a group called South Group (controlled by Sarath Reddy, Kavitha and Magunta Srinivasulu Reddy) on behalf of leaders of the AAP.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Sringeri postal ballot recount: Cong MLA Raje Gowda’s tally reduced by 255 votes
Chikkamagaluru (Karnataka) (PTI): After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled for Congress MLA T D Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission for further decision, he said.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on the election petition filed by BJP’s defeated candidate D N Jeevaraj challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting took place on Saturday and continued until midnight.
Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes.
“The High Court on April 6 had ordered reverification and recounting. As per that order, the exercise has been completed. The court order did not direct us to announce the results; it also did not refer to EVM votes. The order was specific only to postal ballots,” returning officer Gaurav Kumar Shetty said.
Speaking to reporters late on Saturday night, he said, “During the 2023 vote counting, Jeevaraj had received 692 votes, while Raje Gowda had received 569 votes. Now, after reverification and recounting, Jeevaraj has 690 valid votes, which is two votes less than earlier, while Raje Gowda has 314 votes, a difference of 255 votes.”
After the reverification and recounting as per the court order, the strong room was sealed, and a report was sent to the Election Commission.
The returning officer said that as per Election Commission rules, there are clear guidelines on how to accept or reject a vote, and the procedure was followed accordingly.
Regarding allegations of vote tampering, he said the allegations are criminal in nature and do not fall under his jurisdiction.
Jeevaraj, speaking to reporters, said, “As per the current count, I have the majority. Officials have said that the Election Commission will make the formal announcement. I will wait for the Commission’s order.”
Raje Gowda expressed doubts about “vote tampering” and demanded a detailed inquiry into Jeevaraj and others. He said he would file a case in this regard.
“There are markings on the ballots polled in my favour. Different ink has been used; it is clearly visible. During the 2023 counting, all those ballots were deemed valid in the presence of counting agents of all parties. Now, such votes have been declared invalid, bringing down my tally,” he told reporters.
Raje Gowda and his supporters had earlier celebrated on Saturday, claiming the results were in their favour.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister and state Congress president D K Shivakumar on Sunday alleged a “big conspiracy” in Sringeri.
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he said the Congress would take up the matter legally and would pursue all possible steps from the government.
“No one can imagine that they (the BJP) will indulge in such criminal activity. This is evidence of how former MLA Jeevaraj misused officials close to him. I have received a report, and I am studying it. It is systematic criminal activity. I will go through the report and take further action. I had been watching developments overnight,” he added.
State BJP president B Y Vijayendra said that, as per his information, the Congress was pressuring officials not to declare the results.
Speaking to reporters in Tumakuru, he said, “Jeevaraj, after losing the election, went to court. Now, after the High Court order, recounting has happened, and Jeevaraj has won by 56 votes. There appears to be a conspiracy by the ruling Congress to delay the announcement of results to allow Raje Gowda time to approach the High Court.”
Jeevaraj has already faced “injustice” for about three years by being denied the MLA post, Vijayendra said. “The injustice should not continue, and the Congress should accept the mandate of the people.”
Leader of Opposition R Ashoka accused the Congress and its leader, Rahul Gandhi, of “vote theft.”
“The Congress, which has been illegitimately enjoying power in the Sringeri Assembly seat for the past three years, now faces humiliation. This is not merely the victory of one individual; it is the victory of democracy. It is a hard-earned triumph for the value of the votes cast by Sringeri’s voters,” he posted on X, congratulating Jeevaraj.
