Supreme Court Grants Conditional Bail to Former Chhattisgarh Minister in High-Profile Liquor Scandal

In a significant judicial development, the Supreme Court has provisionally released former Chhattisgarh Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma on interim bail, pertaining to his alleged involvement in the multi-crore state liquor distribution scandal. The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, imposes rigorous conditions aimed at mitigating potential interference with ongoing legal proceedings. Notably, Lakhma is mandated to reside outside Chhattisgarh and is permitted entry solely for the explicit purpose of attending court hearings related to the trial. This decision underscores the judiciary's balancing act between upholding the presumption of innocence and ensuring the integrity of the investigative process in a case that has drawn considerable political and public scrutiny. The liquor scam, involving substantial alleged financial irregularities, has been a focal point of anti-corruption efforts within the state. The court's imposition of strict geographical restrictions reflects a calibrated approach to bail in high-stakes corruption cases, setting a precedent for the management of accused individuals holding significant political influence. This development is poised to influence the trajectory of the legal proceedings and the broader political landscape in Chhattisgarh.