'When Person Is In A Higher Office, Some Restraint Is Expected' : Supreme Court On Telangana CM Revanth Reddy's Remarks

The Supreme Court today once again expressed strong disapproval of certain remarks stated to have been made by Telangana Chief Minister-A Revanth Reddy in the official Whatsapp Group of the Telangana Congress party.

A bench of Justices Gavai and KV Viswanathan was hearing a plea for transfer of trial pending against Reddy in the 2015 cash-for-votes case(s), when it expressed its displeasure over his alleged remarks.

More specifically, the Court was dealing with an interim application filed by the petitioner BRS MLA Guntakandla Jagadish Reddy for bringing on record additional facts/documents. The application alleged that Revanth Reddy made some remarks in the official WhatsApp group of the Telangana Congress, referring to the order granting bail to BRS leader K Kavitha.

At the outset, when Senior Advocate Aryama Sundaram (appearing for the petitioners) attempted to draw the Court's attention to something said by Reddy, the bench objected to filing of certain photographs, which apparently included the image of certain lawyer(s).

"You should not have filed these photographs...You might appear for the other side sometime. It's not in good taste. Why should politicians drag the courts and lawyers when they are...", said Justice Gavai. In similar spirit, Justice Viswanathan said, "[it's a question of] professional courtesy...these are two different cases. You have appeared, Mr Rohatgi has appeared, I also appeared...idea appears to be to cause some embarrassment which is not in good taste".

Sundaram, in defence, said that the intention was not to cause embarrassment to anybody. The senior counsel apologized and conceded that the photograph should have been redacted.

Adverting to Reddy's alleged remarks in the official Whatsapp group of Telangana Congress, Sundaram pointed out: "He has said 'one rule for land-grabbers, another rule for government...what is this, Milord?'...". The senior counsel argued that the Anti-Corruption Bureau prosecution is directly under Reddy and if the trial is transferred to another state, Reddy won't be in-charge of the prosecution.

At this point, Senior Advocates Mukul Rohatgi and Siddharth Luthra (for Reddy) submitted that Reddy has made an apology and tried to make amends. "There was a problem with my statement, I have made amends, that should be the end of the matter", Rohatgi said. Luthra, on the other hand, pointed out that the alleged statements were made on August 29, and an apology issued thereafter, on August 30.

Expressing dismay over the dragging of courts and lawyers through the public, the Court asked Reddy to file a reply to the petitioners' application.

"What's this 'one rule for land-grabbers, another rule for government'? It's unfortunate that courts and lawyers are dragged in...Particularly when somebody is holding a Higher office, some sort of restraint is expected", said Justice BR Gavai. The matter has been listed after 2 weeks.

Before parting with the matter, Justice Viswanathan was heard saying,

"We will all come and go... God forbid, if his liberty is in jeopardy, only this institution will protect."

It may be recalled that on the last date, the Court had expressed strong disapproval of the remarks made by Reddy over the Court's grant of bail to BRS leader K Kavitha. The Court was initially inclined to appoint an independent Special Public Prosecutor for the case, instead of transferring the trial. However, displeased at Reddy's remarks, it ultimately adjourned the hearing saying the issue of transfer was not foreclosed.

Background

The instant petition was filed by 4 members of the Telangana Legislative Council/Assembly, seeking transfer of the trial in The State of Telangana through Addl. Superintendent of Police Vs. A. Revanth Reddy & Ors. and The State of Telangana through Addl. Superintendent of Police Vs. Sandra Venkata Veeraiah to Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. These cases are pending trial before a Special judge in Telangana.

The petitioners allege that CM Reddy offered a bribe of Rs. 50 lakhs (as advance) to MLA Elvis Stephenson/de facto Complainant, asking him to either abstain from voting or to vote in favor of the Telugu Desam Party during the 2015 Telangana MLC elections. It is further alleged that this was done on the directions of Reddy's "former boss" and Andhra Pradesh CM-Nara Chandrababu Naidu.

Statedly, the accused persons were caught red-handed in broad daylight by the Anti-corruption Bureau. However, considering that the prime accused is Telangana's present Chief Minister, a transfer to an independent State is being prayed by the petitioners to ensure a fair trial.

The petitioners claim that there are 88 cases pending against CM Reddy and he threatened senior police officials belonging to Telangana.

Notice was issued on the petition on February 9 and subsequently response sought from the Telangana government as well as CM Reddy.

Case Title: Guntakandla Jagadish Reddy and Ors v. State of Telangana and Ors., T.P.(Crl.) No. 152-153/2024