In a major relief for former Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, the Supreme Court on Friday stayed a Karnataka High Court order refusing to quash criminal proceedings against him under Prevention of Corruption of Act on charges of de-notifying several acres of land in 2006-07.
Soon after the SC relief, the four-time Karnataka Chief Minister hinted at quitting active politics by declaring that his second son BY Vijayendra will contest the upcoming State Assembly elections from their family stronghold Shikaripura in Shimoga district. Yediyurappa has won from this constituency eight times since 1983. “I request you, just like the way you have supported me, I request you all to support Vijayendra as well. We have to ensure he garners more than a lakh votes,” he appealed to the people of the constituency. Staying the High court order, a SC bench of Chief Justice NV Ramana issued notice to the Karnataka Government on a special leave petition filed by Yediyurappa.
The bench, also comprising Justices Krishna Murari and Hima Kohli, passed the order after hearing senior advocate KV Viswanathan, representing Yediyurappa.
Viswanathan contended that when the HC had quashed the very same FIR registered against the first accused on October 9, 2015, how could investigation proceed against Yeddyurappa on the same FIR. Yeddyurappa has challenged the validity of the HC’s order passed in December 2020. In February 2015, a Bengaluru district court had asked the Lokayukta police to investigate the charges levelled in a private complaint filed by Vasudev Reddy.