In a judgment of far reaching consequences in Karnataka, the state High Court today upheld the Governor H.R. Bhardwaj’s sanction to prosecute chief minister BS Yeddyurappa and his family members on five private complaints over their alleged involvement in land scams.
Dismissing all the five petitions filed by Yeddyurappa’s son-in-law Sohan Kumar, sons B.Y. Raghavendra, a Lok Sabha member, and B.Y. Vijayendra of Dhavalagiri Developers and beneficiary Akka Mahadevi questioning the sanction, Justice K.N. Keshavanarayana said that the Governor’s sanction was fully justified as the decision was within the precincts of law.
The court judgment comes a day after the leaked report of the Karnataka Lok Ayukta said that Chief Minister BS Yedduurappa was also involved along with some ministers in the illegal mining in the state.
The petitioners questioned the decision of the lower court which took cognizance of the complaints filed by two lawyers following the sanction given by the Governor. “The lower court can proceed with its hearing of the case,” said the judge in his 200-page order.
Two city-based lawyers Sirajin Basha and K.N. Balaraj filed the complaints seeing prosecution of the chief minister and others after the governor accorded sanction.
