Justice L Narayana Swamy of the Karnataka High Court on Monday rejected former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa’s anticipatory bail application in connection with alleged irregularities in land denotification.
Yeddyurappa, who was admitted to a private hospital with high fever, diabetes and hypertension, later appeared before the Special Lokayukta court and the matter was adjourned till September 7. The special court directed the Lokayukta police to file a charge sheet against him and other accused.
Meanwhile, in another case against Yeddyurappa, the high court dismissed another petition seeking quashing of Chapter 22 of the Lokayukta report on illegal mining. The Lokayukta report, submitted to the state government on July 27, had indicted him for accepting donation from a mining company in return for undue favours.
Yeddyurappa’s counsel filed a memo before the bench, comprising justices K L Manjunath and H S Kempanna, seeking to withdraw the petition, citing subsequent developments as well as the liberty to challenge it at a later date.
The court said no liberty could be granted while dismissing the petition as withdrawn. It also observed that seeking quashing of the report when the investigation has not started is “premature”. In Chapter 22 of the Lokayukta report initiation of prosecution under the Prevention of Corruption Act was recommended against Yeddyurappa.
Yeddyurappa’s counsel had earlier argued that the report had been made without hearing the petitioner and it was violating principles of natural justice, and that it has gone beyond the terms of reference, among others.
After Yeddyurappa, his son and member of Parliament from Shimoga B Y Raghavendra and others appeared before the Lokayukta court, Judge N K Sudhindra Rao directed the Lokayukta police to file a chargesheet against the accused in the private complaints filed by advocate Sirajin Basha and adjourned the hearing to September 7.
The complainant had alleged irregularities in denotification of lands in Arakere, Devarachikkanahalli and Geddalahalli.