Verdict reserved on Yeddyurappa's petition

Karnataka High Court today reserved its judgement on the petition filed by former state Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa challenging a private complaint alleging financial irregularities in Upper Bhadra irrigation project.

A division bench, comprising Justices KL Manjunath and HS Kempanna reserved its verdict on the complaint by JD-S spokesperson YSV Dutta in the Lokayukta court.

The court had ordered a probe on August 8 and subsequently an FIR was filed by Lokyukta police on August 10.

Senior counsel and Supreme Court lawyer U U Lalit challenged the complaint and order of reference by Special Lokayukta judge N K Sudhindhra Rao under Section 156(3) of CrPC (initiating criminal proceedings), stating that Rao is not a magistrate and hence has no jurisdiction to take cognisance of the complaint, making a reference under the Section.

"It has to be taken cognisance and referred to under Section 202 of CrPC which is nothing but collection of evidence," he submitted.

The court reserved orders after hearing Lalit's submissions.

Yeddyurappa had filed an anticipatory bail application in this case, which will be heard on August 25.

Dutta had 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.

In turn, RNS Jyothi transferred 13 crore to Dhavalagiri Developers and Sahyadri Healthcare, owned by Yeddyurappa's sons and son-in-law, he alleged.