Irked over Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy's comments towards alleged deal between the BJP and the BRS for securing bail for BRS leader K Kavitha in cases linked to the alleged Delhi excise policy scam, the Supreme Court on Thursday reprimanded him, saying such statements might create apprehensions in minds of people. The top court asked"why should they (politicians) drag the court in political rivalry?".

The reprimand came as a three-judge bench of Justices BR Gavai, PK Mishra, and KV Viswanathan was hearing a plea seeking transfer of the 2015 cash-for-votes case against the Chief Minister to Madhya Pradesh. The petitioners argued he could influence witnesses and tamper with evidence.

"Have you read in the newspaper what he said? Just read what he has stated. What sort of statement is this by a responsible chief minister.

That might rightly create apprehension in the minds of people. Is this a kind of statement which should be made by a chief minister.

A constitutional functionary is speaking in this manner?

"Why should they drag court in political rivalry? Do we pass orders on consultations with political parties. We are not bothered by politicians or if anybody criticises our orders. We do our duty as per conscience and oath," a three-judge bench headed by Justice B R Gavai told senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Reddy.

In an interaction with mediapersons, Reddy on Tuesday had said there are doubts over MLC Kavitha getting bail in five months when Manish Sisodia got it after 15 months and Kejriwal is yet to get it. "It is a fact that BRS worked for the victory of the BJP in the 2024 LS polls . There is also talk that Kavitha got bail because of the deal between BRS and BJP," he had alleged.  The apex court said it a fundamental duty to have mutual respect for institutions and maintain arm's distance.

The top court said it a fundamental duty to have mutual respect for institutions and maintain arm's distance.  The bench said, "We always say we will not interfere in the legislature, then that is expected from them also. Do we pass orders on political considerations?,"          

Senior Advocate C Aryama Sundaram, appearing for BRS MLA Guntakandla Jagadish Reddy and three others, sought transfer of trial saying the Telangana chief minister has been publicly making statements on the case."Only on apprehension, how can we entertain...If we entertain such petitions, we will be disbelieving our judicial officers," the bench observed. Sundaram submitted that Telangana chief minister is himself the home minister. "There is a rule of natural justice that no person should be a judge in his own cause," he argued.

The bench then said it will pass orders to appoint an independent public prosecutor to inspire confidence.