K'taka: HC quashes 15 FIRs agains B S Yeddyurappa in land denotification

Bengaluru, Jan 6: While a former Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa is all set to return to state politics, the Karnataka High Court on Tuesday Jan 5 quashed proceedings in connection to 15 cases filed by the Lokayukta police.

All the cases those are quashed were pertaining to de-notification of BDA (Bengaluru Development Authority) acquired lands.

Justice Rathnakala while allowing petitions filed by the BJP leader, issued instruction not to avail CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) report, in further, to file fresh cases against Yeddyurappa.

It could be recalled that FIRs filed by the Lokayukta police was challenged by the BJP leader In June 2015. All the cases were filed based on the report of the CAG. However complaint in connection to de-notification was lodged by a social activist, Jayakumar Hiremath.

The lands those were de-notified during Yeddyurappa's stint as CM were acquired by the BDA in Bilekahalli, Halagavaderahalli, J B Kaval and other places.

The former CM contended that Lokayukta could not have launched prosecution on the grounds of CAG report as lands vests with state legislature and it is legislature's prerogative to take decision on the matter.

On the other hand CAG said, its reports could not be used by any other organ of the state including the judiciary and use of it is equivalent to abuse of constitutional scheme.

The withdrawal of cases against Yeddyurappa has come as massive relief in a time he is likely to step his foot back to state politics as BJP president.

The FIRs are a result of RTI activist Jayakumar Hiremath's complaint to Lokayukta in 2012 based on the CAG report on denotification of lands acquired by government for allotment of sites by the BDA. Later, the CID investigated the matter and submitted a report to the Lokayukta.

OneIndia News