Court declines to stay proceedings against Yeddyurappa

Bangalore, Feb 26 (PTI) A local court today dismissed anapplication seeking a stay on the proceedings againstKarnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and his familymembers over alleged corruption and nepotism in land dealings.

The court also rejected Yeddyurappa''s son-in-law SohanKumar''s another application to include former chief ministerand JD-S chief H D Kumaraswamy as an accused in the case filedon private complaints by two advocates.

Rejecting the two applications, Additional City Civil andSession Court Judge C B Hippargi posted the matter to Feb 28for recording of evidence.

Kumar in his application had sought a stay on theproceedings on the ground that the matter was already beinginvestigated by the Lokayukta.

Armed with the Governor''s sanction for prosecution of thechief minister, Sirajin Basha and K N Balaraj had filed fiveprivate complaints against Yeddyurappa, his sons B Y Vijendraand B Y Raghavendra, MP, Sohan Kumar and others regardingalleged nepotism and corruption in land denotification.

Earlier, counsel for the complainants objected toKumar''s applications contending that he had no locus standi toseek such a relief at the "pre-processing stage andpre-cognisance of the matter".

The counsel argued that such an application could not bemoved as the court had not issued any summons to those namedin the complaint and hence they had no right of audience. Theapplications were frivolous and intended to delay the legalproceedings.

The judge refused to hear any arguments made by Kumar''scounsel today.

Hailing the court''s decision as a positive one, advocateAnup Chowdary on behalf of the complainants told reportersthat it meant the "court had taken cognisance" of the privatecomplaint and that the judicial process in the matter had nowbegun.

"Law will take its course," he said.

"The court would record the evidence and based on theexamination of documents, evidence and witness statementdecide whether summons should be issued to the ''proposedaccused'' or not," Chowdary said.