Bribery allegation against K'taka CM referred to Division Bench

Bangalore, Oct 13 (UNI) The Karnataka High Court today referred to a Division Bench the Rs 150 crore bribery allegation against Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy, Home Minister M P Prakash and Forests Minister C Chennigappa.

Justice H G Ramesh delivered the ruling on a writ petition, filed by suspended BJP Member of the Legislative Council Janardhan Reddy seeking a CBI probe into the matter.

Considering the contentions of the petitioner in detail, the court observed that the petition was in the nature of a public interest litigation and had to be heard by a Division Bench as per a High Court notification, dated July eight, 1997.

Besides, Justice Ramesh said as the petition involved important questions of public interest and in exercise of powers vested in him, he considered that the petition had to be placed before a Division Bench.

Accordingly, under section nine of the Karnataka High Court Act, he directed the Registry to place the petition before an appropriate Bench.

Mr Reddy had alleged that the Chief Minister and the two ministers had taken a bribe of Rs 150 crore from iron ore miners in Bellary district to allow illegal mining operations. He claimed to have CDs and other material evidences to substantiate his charge.

UNI XR GD SHB HT1945