Bad time for Yeddy, big relief for BJP
12 May 2012 2:48 AM GMT
The Supreme Court dealt a blow to the former Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa on Friday. The court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to start an enquiry against him for his alleged role in iron-ore mining scam. There are allegations against Yeddyurappa for nepotism, illegal land acquisition and favouring some mining companies during his tenure as the chief minister.
The CBI will use the environment body Central Empowered Committee (CEC) report for registration of preliminary enquiry against the former chief minister, who has been pressurising central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to make him chief minister again. This probe may come as a relief to the BJP, which has been trying hard to contain the infighting in its Karnataka unit.
The apex court accepted the 20 April report of the CEC, which had recomended a CBI probe. The court also asked the Andhra Pradesh government to cooperate with the CBI in the investigation.
The Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia, issued an order for the CBI probe against Yeddyurappa's alleged role in the scam. It also stayed all trial court and other judicial proceedings in related matters and asked the CBI to 'conduct an impartial probe un-influenced by the stature of the person'. It has asked the CBI to submit its report by 3 August.
The apex court had constituted the panel to probe illegal mining and other bribery charges against Yeddyurappa. The committee submitted its report to the apex court, concluding that Yeddyurappa and his family members had received kickbacks from mining firms. It had recommended a detailed probe by an independent investigation agency, preferably the CBI.
In its report, the CEC had said that the 'land which was acquired for public purpose, its denotification from acquisition and subsequent permission for change of land use and sale were prima facie serious violations of the relevant acts and misuse of office by the then chief minister of Karnataka enabling his close relatives to make undue profits'.
The CBI will use the environment body Central Empowered Committee (CEC) report for registration of preliminary enquiry against the former chief minister, who has been pressurising central leadership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to make him chief minister again. This probe may come as a relief to the BJP, which has been trying hard to contain the infighting in its Karnataka unit.
The apex court accepted the 20 April report of the CEC, which had recomended a CBI probe. The court also asked the Andhra Pradesh government to cooperate with the CBI in the investigation.
The Supreme Court bench, headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia, issued an order for the CBI probe against Yeddyurappa's alleged role in the scam. It also stayed all trial court and other judicial proceedings in related matters and asked the CBI to 'conduct an impartial probe un-influenced by the stature of the person'. It has asked the CBI to submit its report by 3 August.
The apex court had constituted the panel to probe illegal mining and other bribery charges against Yeddyurappa. The committee submitted its report to the apex court, concluding that Yeddyurappa and his family members had received kickbacks from mining firms. It had recommended a detailed probe by an independent investigation agency, preferably the CBI.
In its report, the CEC had said that the 'land which was acquired for public purpose, its denotification from acquisition and subsequent permission for change of land use and sale were prima facie serious violations of the relevant acts and misuse of office by the then chief minister of Karnataka enabling his close relatives to make undue profits'.
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