Call intercepts...

However, after spending three months in jail, she was granted bail on December 13. ED now wants to arrest Kapoor in the Advantage India case as it believes she is a key link to unearthing a larger conspiracy in Talwar’s deals. It has been alleged that Kapoor was shareholder or director in several shell companies created or controlled by Talwar.

Nitesh Rana, while showing the case files to the judge on Friday, informed the court that Vijay Mallya made a call from London to Yasmin Kapoor, asking her “if she knew ED Director Sanjay Kumar Mishra” and if she can help “manage his case”. To this, Kapoor told Mallya that she has no acquaintance with the ED director but she knows the “number 2” in the agency. Her phone was put under surveillance by ED.

Rana also showed to the court two-page transcripts of Yasmin Kapoor’s conversation with Mallya.

A senior ED official, who didn’t wish to be named, told HT “it appears that Mallya was in touch with Kapoor on more than one occasion. A female associate of Mallya was also calling Yasmin Kapoor”.

“Mallya’s call from London to Kapoor is strong evidence against him as well. We will convey to the UK high court in February, when his appeal against extradition comes for hearing, that he is trying to influence the investigation in India,” the officer added.

The ED officer also claimed that Kapoor’s reference to knowing “no 2” in agency was nothing but bragging.

HT was present at the Rouse Avenue court.

Mallya did not respond to HT’S email and text queries. Queries sent to his lawyer in London, Anand Doobay (Partner at Boutique Law LLP) on email and Whatsapp remained unanswered till late evening.

Asserting that Kapoor should not be granted anticipatory bail as she is capable of influencing witnesses and the investigation, Nitesh Rana argued: “Yasmin Kapoor’s past conduct has also been questionable as she has tried to influence and destroy the evidence earlier as well.”

“Since she came out on bail [in December], she has been trying to influence the probe,” he added.

Kapoor’s lawyer, senior advocate N Hariharan strongly objected to ED tapping her phone, saying it is “unconstitutional”.