Hearing an appeal by Govindaraj, Justice K Bhaktavatsala granted him conditional bail and observed, "disposal of the appeal will take couple of years and it is not in the interest of the appellant. The interim application is allowed and the impugned order dated November 28, 2012 is suspended."
Earlier during the hearing, the counsel for the appellant citing several Supreme Court judgements submitted that the sentence can be suspended by the High Court and the accused can be released on bail.
The court granting bail to the appellant observed, "Admitting that the accused has not been convicted for life and the appeal which is the right of the appellants, the court has to re-appreciate the evidence on record and is a fit case to suspend the sentence."
Accordingly, Govindaraj was directed to furnish a personal bond of sum of Rs two lakh along with two sureties of the like sum, which should be deposited in the trial court.
He was also asked to surrender his passport and not to leave the state without prior permission of the court and warned against intimidating the complainant or family members or any other witness.
On November 28, the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike Coporator Govindaraj was sentenced to four years rigorous imprisonment by Lokayukta court and imposed a penalty of Rs 90,000 after being convicted in a graft case.
Lokayukta court convicted him under 13(1)(d) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act for demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 2 lakh from complainant Uday Kumar for allowing a construction of fourth floor of a building.