NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday sought a response from Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for remarks made against the top court for bail granted to K Kavitha in Delhi liquor policy scam case.
The court which was hearing a plea to transfer the trial against him and others in 2015 cash-for-vote scam outside the state, reminded the senior Congress leader that he should exercise some restraint in making public statements.
A bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Vishwanathan issued notice to the Congress leader and others within two weeks on a plea by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA Guntakandla Jagadish Reddy and three others.
In their original plea, the petitioners sought shifting of the trial, saying the Telangana CM, who also held Home Ministry portfolio and the prosecution directly reported to him, has been publicly making statements on the case.
"When somebody holds such a high office, some restraint is expected," the bench said on Reddy's remarks.
In an application, the petitioners referred to remarks made by the CM and Telangana Congress against the top court after the bail granted to Kavitha on August 27.
Senior advocate C A Sundaram appearing for the petitioners referred to some of the statements of the Chief Minister.
In view of his submission, the bench asked senior advocate Sidharth Luthra, appearing for Reddy, as why courts and lawyers have been dragged by him in his statements.
"When somebody holds such a high office, some restraint is expected. People at the highest constitutional post must remain careful," the bench said.
Earlier, last week, the Supreme Court had slammed Reddy for his statement on bail granted to BRS leader K Kavitha in liquor policy scam case.
In his submission, Sundaram, for the petitioners, said that Reddy is the Home Minister in charge of ACB, which has to report to him. He is in charge of the prosecution, eye witnesses are yet to be examined, the counsel said.
"We are sensitive to all this," the bench said, fixing the matter for consideration after two weeks.
On August 30, Reddy "unconditionally" expressed regret for the statements, after the rebuke by the Supreme Court.
On May 31, 2015, Revanth Reddy, then with the Telugu Desam Party, was arrested by the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) while allegedly paying Rs 50 lakh bribe to Elvis Stephenson, a nominated MLA, for supporting TDP nominee Vem Narendar Reddy in the legislative council elections.
Apart from Revanth Reddy, the ACB had arrested some others. All of them were later granted bail.
