Hyderabad :- In a significant development, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy issued a formal apology to the Supreme Court on Friday after facing sharp criticism for his remarks concerning the top court’s decision to grant bail to BRS leader K Kavitha. The Supreme Court had expressed strong displeasure over Reddy’s comments, which had sparked controversy and raised concerns about the separation of powers between the judiciary and the legislature.
In a post on X, Reddy clarified his position, stating, “I have the highest regard and full faith in the Indian Judiciary. I understand that certain press reports dated 29th August, 2024, containing comments attributed to me, have given the impression that I am questioning the judicial wisdom of the Hon’ble Court.” He emphasized that his statements were taken out of context and did not reflect any intention to undermine the judiciary’s authority.
Revanth Reddy further reaffirmed his respect for the judiciary, saying, “I reiterate that I am a firm believer in the judicial process. I unconditionally express my regret for the statements reflected in the press reports. I have unconditional respect and highest regard for the Judiciary & its independence. As a firm believer in the Constitution of India and its ethos, I have and continue to hold the Judiciary in its highest esteem.”
The apology came after a bench comprising Justices B.R. Gavai, Prashant Kumar Mishra, and K.V. Viswanathan took strong exception to Reddy’s earlier remarks. The bench criticized the Telangana CM for questioning the judiciary’s decision, stating that a constitutional functionary should not speak in such a manner. The court further warned that the trial related to the case could be moved outside Telangana if the Chief Minister failed to respect the judiciary, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
The controversy erupted following Reddy’s comparison of K Kavitha’s bail with other political figures, notably questioning how Kavitha secured bail within five months, while other leaders, like Manish Sisodia, faced longer incarceration. The Supreme Court, however, made it clear that such comparisons were irrelevant and would not influence its decisions, reiterating its commitment to performing its duties based on conscience and constitutional principles.
K Kavitha, a BRS leader, was released from Tihar Jail on August 27 after the Supreme Court granted her bail. Her release came amidst ongoing investigations by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into alleged irregularities in the ‘excise policy case,’ a matter that continues to draw significant attention from both legal and political circles.
