Karnataka cabinet wants Governor to order investigation against former BJP CM
The Karnataka cabinet decides to make a recommendation to Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot asking him to grant approval for investigation and for follow-up action against former Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party Central Parliamentary Board member B.S. Yediyurappa under section 17A of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 over allegations of corruption against him, his family members and his associates.
After the cabinet meeting, Minister of Law and Parliamentary Affairs H.K. Patil said “The allegations against B.S. Yediyurappa are grave and serious in nature” and stated the permission of the Governor is needed in Yediyurappa’s case since certain decisions were taken by him when he was the Chief Minister (2019-21).
It may be recalled here that on June 23/24, 2021, Governor passed an order rejecting the request made by president of Karnataka Anti-Graft and Environmental Forum T.J. Abraham in November, 2020 seeking grant of approval to investigate Yediyurappa in the corruption charges.
While, investigation against other accused is going on by Lokayukta police, the principal accused, B.S. Yediyurappa, is shielded under the pretext of mechanical rejection (to investigate) by the Governor, it is alleged.
The anti-graft activist had filed a complaint in November, 2020 before the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Bengaluru (now redundant) against Yediyurappa, his family, and his associates for offences punishable under sections 7, 8, 9, 10 and 13 of Prevention of Corruption act, 1988, under sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 and under various sections of Indian Penal Code and then no First Information Report was registered against the accused persons.
Though the complaint to ACB attached various chat conversations between the Ramalingam Construction Company and Shashidhar Maradi, grandson of Yediyurappa involving bribery for government contracts with the intervention of Yediyurappa, nothing substantial happened.
Later, the complainant petitioned the Governor on November 20, 2020 seeking grant of approval to conduct investigation against then incumbent Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa under section 17A of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 but it was turned down.
Over the denial of permission to investigate Yediyurappa, the complainant Abraham knocked the doors of the Karnataka High Court and the High Court directed the Special Court exclusively to deal with criminal cases against MPs/MLAs, Bengaluru to continue with the complaint against Yediyurappa. On the order of the Special Court for MPs/MLAs, sleuths of Karnataka Lokayukta registered a First Information Report (FIR) against Yediyurappa and others.
Meanwhile, Yediyurappa moved the Supreme Court against Lokayukta FIR and the matter is before the Court on November 29 (Friday).
In his complaint, T.J. Abraham alleged then Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) Commissioner Dr G.C. Prakash demanded a bribe of Rs 12 crore from Ramalingam Construction Company Private Limited on behalf of Yediyurappa.
The Construction Company paid Rs 12 crore bribe to K. Ravi, accused 8, and the bribe amount was lifted by then BDA Commissioner Dr. G.C. Prakash to be paid to Yediyurappa’s son B.Y. Vijayendra, accused 2 in the corruption case.
Then, an audio recording of the alleged conversation involving Vijayendra, current BJP President of Karnataka unit, went viral and it was heard confirming the Rs 12 crore bribe amount exchanging hands. In the audio conversation, Vijayendra is said to have stated the BDA Commissioner Dr G.C. Prakash did not deliver Rs 12 crore bribe amount to him and non-payment of bribe amount led to Prakash transfer to Mysuru.
