NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Thursday took a strong exception to Telangana CM A Revant Reddy's statement against apex court, saying it was not foreclosing the issue of transfer of trial against him and others in 2015 cash-for-vote scam outside the state.
"Is this the way a constitutional functionary should make statement? There must be mutual respect for institutions. How can someone say that we pass order for political considerations," a bench, led by Justice B R Gavai said.
The court was to the name a special prosecutor to conduct proceedings in the matter.
The bench posted the matter for hearing on Monday.
The apex court was angry with the CM's remark that the Supreme Court's bail to BRS leader and MLC K Kavitha was due to a "deal between the BJP and BRS".
The bench told the Chief Minister's counsel senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi and Sidharth Luthra, "The manner of the statement you made, once we come to power in 100 days...have you read what you said today morning? Just read. Such statements by a Chief Minister might rightly create apprehension."
"If someone has audacity of commenting on an order of the Supreme Court...we will pass our order in consultation with a political party? It should be a ground for transfer. We are not bothered about someone criticising us. We do our duty as per our conscience. We don't interfere into the sphere of legislature. There should be respect," the bench said.
The CM's counsel said they would advise him.
"We are not bothered about that. If such is the conduct, let him face the trial outside. If he doesn't have respect for the Supreme Court, the highest court in the country," the bench said in strong observations.
During the hearing, the court considered name of E Uma Maheshwar Rao for appointment as special prosecutor but it was pointed out he had earlier appeared for one of the accused. The names of present prosecutor Surendra Rao and Avinash Desai were also suggested for the post.
The court was hearing a plea filed by Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA Guntakandla Jagadish Reddy and three others, seeking transfer of trial saying the Telangana CM has been publicly making statements on the case.
Reddy, then an TDP MLA, had been arrested after being caught red-handed by the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Telangana on May 31, 2015, for allegedly offering Rs 50 lakh to a nominated MLC, Elvis Stephenson, to vote in favour of the candidate of his then party, TDP (Telugu Desam Party).
