Bengaluru, Oct 23: Former Prime Minister H DDeve Gowda and ex-Chief Ministers H D Kumaraswamy andSiddaramaiah welcomed the Delhi HighCourt order on Wednesday granting bail to Congress leader D K Shivakumar in a money laundering case, filed by the Enforcement Directorate.
As the news about Shivakumar getting bail broke, his supporters and Congress workers celebrated by bursting crackers and distributing sweets in Ramanagara, Belagavi, Tumakuru, Kanakapura, Mandya and near his Bengaluru residence.
"Delhi High Court granting bail to D K Shivakumar has increased common man's trust in country's judicial system. I welcome the court's decision," Gowda tweeted.
Shivakumar, a seven-time MLA, was arrested by the EDon September 3 under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
"Getting bail from Delhi high court is happy news," Siddaramaiah told reporters at Bagalkote.
He alleged that Shivakumar was being politically targeted.
"...let them (ED) investigate, but sending to jail duringinvestigation is not right. On proving to be guilty one can besent to jail, but sending while the investigation is still onis not right. Vengeance politics is not right..," he added.
The 57-year-old Shivakumar is under judicial custody and presently lodged in Tihar jail.
Both the Congress and Shivakumar have claimed he was beingtargeted by the BJP-led government at the Centre by "misusing" investigating agencies.
"Delhi High Court granting bail to D K Shivakumar is a matter of happiness. On Monday I had met Shivakumar and tried to boost his courage, and expressed hope about him getting bail," Kumaraswamy tweeted.
The JD(S) leader who met Shivakumar at Tihar jail on Monday had said that the Congress leader was "bold" to fight "vengeance politics".
Shivakumar and Kumaraswamy, both Vokkaliga strong men, have been bitter political opponents in the old Mysuru region,until they came together for the formation of Congress-JD(S) coalition government, after 2018 assembly polls.
Shivakumar was a key minister in the Kumaraswamy cabinet and played a major rule in the stability of the coalition government until it collapsed in July, following resignation of several MLAs of the two parties, eventually leading to installation of the BJP government.
His arrest had lead to widespread protests, especially in Ramanagara, Bengaluru rural, Mandya and other parts of old Mysuru region.
It had even taken a caste colour with thousands of people belonging to the Vokkaliga community taking out a rally recently in Bengaluru protesting the arrest and expressing solidarity with him.
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court has sought details from the Allahabad High Court following controversial statements made by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav during an event organised by the Vishva Hindu Parishad's legal cell on December 8.
Justice Yadav, addressing the topic of the Uniform Civil Code, asserted that India would function according to the wishes of the majority community, calling it the "law of the land." He further stated that the welfare of the majority population must take precedence.
The remarks included the use of the term "kathmullah," considered a slur, to describe individuals he alleged were harmful to national progress. He also criticised certain practices within the Muslim community, such as animal slaughter during religious ceremonies, claiming it hindered tolerance among children.
Justice Yadav expressed confidence that India would soon enact the Uniform Civil Code, claiming it as a constitutional necessity.
The speech has triggered widespread criticism, with organisations like the Campaign for Judicial Accountability and Reforms (CJAR) filing complaints with the Chief Justice of India. The CJAR demanded an in-house inquiry into the judge's conduct, citing concerns over the judiciary's neutrality and independence.
Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi and Srinagar MP Ruhullah Mehdi condemned the remarks. Mehdi announced plans to move an impeachment motion in Parliament under Article 124(4) of the Constitution, citing Justice Yadav's statements as grounds for removal.
Senior Advocate Rebecca John called the speech an "assault on the Constitution," emphasising that such conduct is unbecoming of a sitting judge. Calls for the withdrawal of Justice Yadav's judicial duties have also surfaced.
The Supreme Court's administrative wing is currently reviewing the matter.