Did BRS MLA Kaushik Reddy Secure Bail in Extortion Case?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- BRS MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy was arrested on extortion allegations.
- The court granted him conditional bail after rejecting police custody.
- Reddy claims his arrest is a political conspiracy.
- The case raises important questions about democracy and accountability.
- Ongoing legal battles may ensue.
Hyderabad, June 21 (NationPress) A court in Warangal, Telangana, has granted bail to Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLA Padi Kaushik Reddy just hours after his arrest by police on extortion allegations.
The court declined the police's request to place him in judicial custody and instead issued conditional bail.
MLA Reddy was taken into custody at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad while returning from Huzurabad and was subsequently transported to Warangal.
After undergoing a medical examination at MGM Hospital, the MLA was brought before the Kazipet Railway Court. Following arguments from both parties, the judge opted not to incarcerate him, granting conditional bail.
In response to the ruling, Kaushik Reddy asserted that the Congress government had conspired against him but that he ultimately received justice in court. He emphasized that regardless of the number of cases filed against him, he would continue to advocate for the people.
A complaint lodged by a granite quarry trader at Subedari Police Station led to charges against Kaushik Reddy, alleging that he threatened the trader to demand payment of Rs 50 lakh.
Manoj Reddy, who runs a quarry in Vanagapalli in Kamlapur mandal, reported through his wife, Ramadevi, that the MLA had extorted Rs 25 lakh and was now seeking an additional Rs 50 lakh.
The police filed a case against the MLA, citing threats and extortion under multiple sections of the Bharat Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Kaushik Reddy had sought to dismiss the case in the Telangana High Court, but his request was rejected on Monday. The prosecution presented evidence of threatening calls from the MLA to the complainant.
The MLA's attorney contended that he was merely calling the businessman to address community concerns.
While being apprehended at the airport, Kaushik Reddy claimed he would persist in questioning Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, alleging his arrest was a result of inquiries into the quarry operations by the Chief Minister's alleged benamis.
The MLA condemned the airport arrest, claiming it was executed without prior notice and labeled it a direct assault on democracy.