On bail in liquor scam case, will Congress MLA Kawasi Lakhma attend Chhattisgarh assembly session?

RAIPUR: Out on bail in a money laundering case linked to Chhattisgarh’s alleged liquor scam, former excise minister and Congress MLA Kawasi Lakhma has sought permission from Assembly Speaker Raman Singh to attend the upcoming budget session, placing the final call squarely on the Speaker’s table.The budget session begins from Feb 23.The supreme court, while granting bail to the five-time tribal legislator from Bastar’s Konta constituency, has directed him to stay outside Chhattisgarh during the pendency of the investigation, but left it to the Speaker to decide whether he can participate in assembly proceedings.According to the excerpts from the SC order, "As regards the petitioner’s participation in the legislative assembly during the period when the investigation is going on and the court takes cognizance against him, an appropriate decision shall be taken by the learned Speaker of the state assembly.

We do not express any opinion in relation thereto.”Speaking to TOI, Dinesh Sharma, secretary Vidhan Sabha said that Kawasi Lakhma has met in person with Speaker Raman Singh requesting to allow him to attend the assembly session, though the supreme court has ordered him to stay out of Chhattisgarh. The Speaker is yet to take a decision on this as there's still some time left for the session to begin. The matter is into consideration and Speaker will ensure to respect both SC order and Lakhma's request before taking any decision, he said.

Granting the permission suggests that Lakhma would be able to come to the state capital during the assembly session and stay here for the duration of the proceedings During the recent appearance before the ED special judge's court, Lakhma informed the court that he would reside in Malkangiri district of neighbouring Odisha and comply with all bail conditions. The next hearing in the case in ED court is scheduled for Feb 20.Malkangiri lies just 20–25 km from Konta, Lakhma’s assembly constituency, allowing him to remain close to his political base while formally staying outside Chhattisgarh, as mandated by the apex court’s order. Political observers say the proximity makes it easier for him to retain political and social contact without violating bail terms.A prominent tribal face of the Congress in Bastar, Lakhma has been elected five times from Konta and served as excise minister in the previous Bhupesh Baghel-led government. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the alleged multi-thousand-crore liquor scam and remained in judicial custody for several months before being granted bail. He continues to be an undertrial, even as he remains an elected MLA with nearly three years left in his current term.