The Supreme Court on Thursday expressed strong disapproval of Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy’s recent comments on the judiciary, particularly in response to the bail granted to BRS leader K Kavitha in the Delhi excise policy case.
Revanth Reddy had earlier questioned the speed with which Kavitha secured bail from the Supreme Court. “It took 15 months for Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia to get bail, and even Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is still waiting. Yet, Kavitha managed to secure bail in just five months. It raises questions about possible behind-the-scenes support of the BJP,” Reddy said, according to media reports.
A Supreme Court bench comprising Justices BR Gavai, KV Vishwanathan, and Prashant Kumar Mishra raised strong objection to Reddy’s remarks.
“Just see the manner of the statement you made… have you read what you said today morning? Just read. Such statements by a Chief Minister?” Justice Gavai remarked, directing his comments to senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Siddharth Luthra, who were representing the Chief Minister.
The remark was made while the top court was hearing a petition seeking transfer of the trial in the 2015 cash-for-vote scam case, in which Reddy is an accused, from Telangana to Bhopal.
Justice Gavai questioned whether the court’s orders should be influenced by political considerations. “Do we have to pass our order in consultation with a political party? It should be a ground for transfer. We are not bothered about someone criticising. We do our duty as per our conscience,” Justice Gavai said.
Rohatgi assured the bench that he would speak to the Chief Minister and ensure corrective measures are taken. However, the bench emphasised that while criticism of judgements is not a concern, the judiciary would continue to perform its duties impartially, regardless of external opinions.
Justice Viswanathan added, “It is a fundamental duty to keep an arm’s length. There should be mutual respect for institutions.”
The court adjourned the cash-for-votes scam case to September 2, with Justice Gavai stating, “We are not foreclosing the issue of transfer. We always say we are not interfering with the sphere of the legislature. That is expected of them also.”
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court indicated that it would appoint a special public prosecutor to conduct the trial against Reddy in the 2015 cash-for-votes case. This suggestion came after Senior Advocate Aryama Sundaram, representing the petitioners, argued that the trial should be shifted outside Telangana to ensure a free and fair trial, citing concerns about Reddy’s dual role as both the accused and the Home Minister.
The case stems from an incident on May 31, 2015, when Revanth Reddy, then with the Telugu Desam Party, was allegedly caught offering a Rs 50 lakh bribe to Elvis Stephenson, a nominated MLA, in exchange for support for TDP nominee Vem Narendar Reddy in the legislative council elections.