A Bengaluru court has directed the Lokayukta Police of Karnataka to start its probe again in a 2022 bribery case involving Chief Minister Siddaramaiah after its closure report was rejected by a special MP/MLA court.
BJP leader NR Ramesh had filed the case against the Chief Minister, accusing him of taking bribes from his friend in 2015.
Judge Santhosh Gajanan Bhat directed the Lokayukta Police to launch a new investigation and submit a report within the next six months. He then listed the matter for further hearing on August 22.
The BJP leader had alleged that money was taken to appoint Vivekananda as a steward and member of the managing committee of the Bangalore Turf Club during Siddaramaiah’s earlier tenure as the Karnataka Chief Minister.
Siddaramaiah claimed that the amount was taken as a loan and was disclosed in his election affidavit, however, Ramesh said the money was not repaid.
He submitted in his application that Vivekananda was appointed as steward of the club in return for the money, which amounted to a ‘kickback’. It further accused the Chief Minister of violating the Income Tax Act.
Soon after assuming office as Karnataka Chief Minister in 2023, the Lokayukta Police had submitted a closure report to the court.
The Counsel representing Ramesh objected to the report, alleging illegality, and provided additional case-related documents to the court.
The court asked the Lokayukta Police on Wednesday to conduct a fresh investigation and submit the report in six months.