Lokayukta police registers FIR against Yeddyurappa

Bangalore, Aug 10: Spelling more trouble for former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, the Lokayukta police has registered an FIR against him under the Prevention of Corruption Act on charges of financial irregularities in the Upper Bhadra irrigation project related works.

In line with the Aug 8 order of the Lokayukta court directing investigation into the charges against Yeddyurappa in a private complaint, an FIR has been registered under section 158 (3) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, Incharge Lokayukta Superintendent of Police, Rangaswamy Naik told PTI.

The complaint filed by JDS spokesperson Y S V Dutta, alleged that the project was awarded to the highest bidder, a private firm RNS Jyothi at Rs 1,033 crore, contrary to the norm, as in the case of a government project it is the lowest bidder who gets the contract.

And in turn for this favour, RNS Jyothi transferred an amount of Rs 13 crore to firms by name Dhavalagiri Developers and Sahyadri Healthcare, owned by Yeddyurappa's sons and son-in-law, he alleged.

Dutta, citing another instance in the complaint, has questioned donation of Rs 10 crore by a private mining firm to Prerana Educational Society, run by Yeddyurappa's family in Shimoga.

The Lokayukta special court had on Monday directed the Lokayukta Superintendent of Police to conduct a probe into receipt of Rs 10 crore donation by the trust.

In another case relating to alleged irregularities in denotification of lands acquired by the Bangalore Development Authority, Yeddyurappa is facing a summons along wih 14 others to appear before the Lokayukta Special Court on August 27.

PTI