The Supreme Court on Monday extended the interim stay on the proceedings against former Karnataka Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, his son B.Y. Vijayendra and others, in a case registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The Bench of Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli also issued notice to the Karnataka government on a petition filed by Yediyurappa.
Appearing for the senior BJP leader, Senior Advocate Siddharth Dave said the state was not a party in the matter.
The Bench directed the State of Karnataka to be impleaded in the matter, stating that even though it was a private complaint, the court should have the benefit of assistance from the state.
Earlier on September 23, the Apex Court had issued notice to the Karnataka government, seeking its reply within four weeks, and stayed further proceedings in the FIR by Karnataka Lokayukta Police in a corruption case related to award of a BDA contract for building a housing complex.
The stay on the order of the Karnataka High Court will continue till the next order of the Supreme Court in the matter.
The former Chief Minister of Karnataka had moved the Apex Court against the Karnataka High Court order that restored a criminal complaint against him in a corruption case.
On September 8, the Karnataka High Court had held that the rejection of sanction of a special court cannot be an impediment to investigate the case against Yediyurappa and others.
On July 8 last year, the special court had dismissed a private complaint filed by activist T.J. Abraham on the ground that investigation could not be conducted without valid sanction under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Following the High Court’s order, the State Lokayukta had registered an FIR on September 16 against Yediyurappa and his family members and others under various provisions for cheating, extortion and criminal conspiracy.
According to Abraham, the accused had collected a bribe of Rs 12 crore from the firm on behalf of Yeddyurappa for awarding the contract of residential complex to the construction company during Yeddyurappa’s chief ministership in 2019-21.