[Probe into corruption case] Karnataka High Court grants two weeks time to former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, relatives to file objections

The Karnataka High Court on Tuesday directed former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, his son and other family members to file within two weeks their statement of objections to a petition seeking investigation into alleged corruption case against them.

The petition, which was moved by activist TJ Abraham, sought a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising senior officers of the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

"Counsel appearing for the respondents request for time to file their Statement of objections. Two weeks time is granted to file their statement of objections. The synopsis by either side containing their contentions to be filed after serving copy in advance to the counsel for the other side", said the order passed by Justice Sunil Dutt of the High Court.

The Court had earlier issued notice on the plea in the first week of August.

Abraham had 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, Abraham moved the High Court.

Before 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 was heard two weeks ago.

Abraham, in his plea, has alleged that 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 was 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.

The matter will be next heard on September 13.