'Hold judiciary in highest esteem': Revanth Reddy issues apology after SC rap over remark on K Kavitha's bail

Telangana CM A Revanth Reddy sought to question the bail granted to BRS leader K Kavitha by the Supreme Court in the Delhi excise policy case. (File Photo: PTI)

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy on Friday issued an unconditional apology after questioning the bail granted to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha in the Delhi excise policy case. The apology came a day after the Supreme Court took strong exception to the Chief Minister's remarks.

"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," Reddy said in a post on X.

"I reiterate that I am a firm believer of the judicial process. I unconditionally express my regret for the statements reflected in the press reports. The remarks attributed to me in such reports have been taken out of context. I have unconditional respect & 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," he added.

Reddy's apology came in the context of his reaction to the bail granted to Kavitha in the Delhi liquor 'scam' and questioned the order within five months of her arrest. Reddy pointed out that AAP leader Manish Sisodia was granted bail after 15 months of incarceration and Arvind Kejriwal's ongoing wait for bail. Reddy had sought suggest that Kavitha's bail might have been the result of a "deal" between the BRS and the BJP.

Coming down heavily on the CM's remark, the Supreme Court reminded him of a recent notice issued to a top Maharashtra bureaucrat for contemptuous remarks. A bench of Justices BR Gavai, Prashant Kumar Mishra and KV Vishwanathan said that the Supreme Court has always refrained from interfering in the domain of the executive and advised the legislature to reciprocate in kind and desist from interfering in the judicial process.

Kavitha was granted bail in the cases of sorruption and money laundering, filed by the Central Burteau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate, respectively, on August 27. She was lodged in Tihar Jail for five months.