Karnataka High Court issues notice to former CM BS Yediyurappa, family members on plea seeking probe into corruption allegations

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday issued notice on a plea seeking probe against former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa and his family members in a corruption case..Justice Sunil Dutt of the High Court sought the response of the former CM, his son BY Vijayendra and other family members on a petition filed by a social activist, TJ Abraham..Special Court refuses to entertain private complaint against Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa in alleged corruption case.The petition, moved by Abraham sought a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising senior officers of the Anti-Corruption Bureau..Abraham initially moved the trial court, filing a private complaint against Yediyurappa and others. However, the same came to be rejected on July 8, 2021, as the Court had noted that the Governor had rejected sanction for prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Thereafter, he moved the High Court. .The matter was first listed as Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka, who opined that the petition cannot be treated as a PIL since the petitioner has personal interest in the same. Thereafter, it was directed to be listed before a single-judge pursuant to which the matter came to be heard today. .Abraham, in his plea has alleged Yediyurappa's family members had received bribe on his behalf to tune of Rs 12 crore in relation to Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) housing project and another illegal collection of around Rs 17.5 crore.On November 20, 2019, Abraham had approached the Governor seeking sanction for prosecution against Yediyurappa, which came to be rejected..The petition moved by Abraham sought a probe by a Special Investigation Team comprising senior officers of the Anti-Corruption Bureau and to register a First Information Report into alleged payment of bribes and collection of cash by his son BY Vijayendra and others, on behalf of the former CM.