K Kavitha released from prison after 5 months

K Kavitha, who has been in jail since March on suspicion of corruption and money laundering related to Delhi's liquor policy, was released from custody on Tuesday evening, hours after the Supreme Court granted the Telangana politician conditional bail.

BRS workers and supporters played drums and set off firecrackers as she left the prison complex. Ms. Kavitha's brother and BRS working president KT Rama Rao was also present.

“We are fighters, we will fight it out legally and politically. They have made the team of BRS and KCR indestructible,” the militant leader said in her first comments after her release from prison.

Pictures showed the head of government becoming emotional after being reunited with her family.

“I was put behind bars only for political reasons. I have not made any mistake. I will fight and prove my innocence,” said Ms. Kavitha, fighting back tears.

“I am the daughter of Telangana, the daughter of KCR. I cannot make any mistake. I am stubborn and good,” she added.

Addressing the media at the BRS party office, Ms. Kavitha said, “I will return with interest to those who inflicted this ordeal on me and my family. Our hour will come.”

“As a mother, being separated from my family and children for five and a half months was particularly stressful,” she said.

The Supreme Court had earlier today said that the detention of the 46-year-old leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) was no longer necessary as both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had completed their investigations against her.

“The appellant (Kavitha) is directed to be released on bail forthwith… on furnishing of a surety bond of Rs 1 million in each of the cases,” the court said, allowing her appeal against the July 1 verdict of the Delhi High Court which had denied her bail in both the cases.

The two central agencies faced sharp criticism over the “fairness” of their investigations and the Supreme Court stated: “I am sorry to see this state of affairs.”

“The prosecution must be fair. You cannot pick and choose just anyone. What kind of fairness is that? Someone who incriminates himself is made a witness,” the court said, adding: “Tomorrow you will pick and release anyone you want as an accused? Very fair and reasonable discretion!”

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Ms. Kavitha, argued that the investigation against her had been completed and the chargesheet and criminal complaint had already been filed.

He also referred to the Supreme Court's August 9 verdict granting bail to co-accused and senior AAP politician Manish Sisodia in both cases.

The ED had arrested Ms. Kavitha from her residence in Banjara Hills in Hyderabad on March 15 and the CBI arrested her from Tihar Jail on April 11.