New Delhi, Feb. 3 -- The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted interim bail to Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Excise Minister Kawasi Lakhma in cases registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Economic Offences Wing (EoW) in connection with the alleged liquor scam.

A Bench led by the Chief Justice of India held that, although the allegations are serious and the investigation is complex and ongoing, prolonged custody of the petitioner would raise concerns regarding personal liberty. The Court said the competing claims of the prosecution and the accused must be balanced.

"On one hand is the right of the prosecution to have an uninterrupted, fair and free right to pursue the investigation, and on the other hand is the right ...