Governor Bhardwaj rejects plea to drop proceedings for prosecution of Yeddyurappa

Bangalore, Jan 21 (ANI): Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj on Friday dismissed as 'unwarranted', a resolution moved by the state cabinet asking him to drop proceedings for prosecution of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on several charges of corruption.

Governor Bhardwaj has in a letter told Yeddyurappa that he cannot put a lid on serious allegations of corruption.

"The sum and substance of the Cabinet decision is it simply requires me to put a lid on the serious allegations of corruption against you," said Bhardwaj.

"The Governor is entitled to and required to take an independent decision on the basis of the material available and therefore the Cabinet decision recommending to drop the consideration of the petition itself is unwarranted," he added, while quoting a Supreme Court verdict.

In his letter, Governor Bhardwaj said: "You are aware, allegations relating to land scams, corruption and manipulation of rules and regulations regarding acquisition and denotifying of public lands regularly appeared in the media since September, 2010."

The Governor further said the allegations of serious nature of corruption were levelled against the office of the Chief Minister by various groups, which submitted representations to him personally, creating a cloud on his (Yeddyurappa's) personal integrity.

Stating that Chief Minister Yeddyurappa did not furnish any details to his December 15 letter seeking factual information on the allegations levelled against him, Governor Bhardwaj said: "You simply stated that the allegations were politically motivated and without any basis. However, you (Chief Minister) informed me that cases relating to land scams have been referred to a Commission of Inquiry headed by Justice Padmaraj, a retired Judge of the High Court."

The Karnataka Government had recently asked Governor Bhardwaj to reject a demand by a lawyers forum for prosecution of Chief Minister Yeddyurappa and Home Minister R Ashoka in connection with alleged land scams.

A forum of lawyers last month petitioned Governor Bhardwaj seeking permission to prosecute Yeddyurappa and Ashoka on the basis of allegations of nepotism and irregularities in denotification of lands by the government.

Earlier on Tuesday, Governor Bhardwaj said he was considering the petition, but had termed the issue as ''ticklish''.

The cabinet, in its resolution, pointed out to the Governor that the entire matter is 'subjudice', as anti-corruption watchdog Lokayukta was probing the allegations and also a Commission of Inquiry headed by retired High Court Judge B Padmaraj. (ANI)