HC allows probe into cases against BSY, Eshwarappa

The High Court on Tuesday set aside the trial court order dismissing the petition seeking a probe into allegations of wealth amassed disproportionate to their known sources of income by BJP leaders B S Yeddyurappa, K S Eshwarappa and their kin.

Justice Anand Byra Reddy directed the Lokayukta to conduct fresh trial into allegations of disproportionate assets against the duo, after quashing the special Lokayukta court’s order, which had dismissed the petition seeking Lokayukta inquiry against the duo earlier this year and observed, “The impugned order is set aside and the matters are restored to file before the court below, to be dealt in accordance with law.” 

The complainant B Vinod, an advocate from Shimoga, had filed a criminal revision petition, challenging the trial court order which had dismissed the complaint for want of sanction from the authorities.

Three cases have been filed against the family of Yeddyurappa. The former chief minister is now the Member of Parliament from Shimoga. Yeddyurappa is accused number 1 in all these cases.

In one case, sites meant for journalists were allotted to Yeddyurappa’s daughter Aruna Devi, accused number 2 in the matter by misusing his position, in 2006-07 when he was the deputy chief minister. In another case, his son B Y Raghavendra is the accused number 2, in which he is alleged of encroaching forest land of over 65 acres at Hunsekatte village in Shimoga district.
 The third case involves illegal felling of trees permitted by senior IAS officer Meera Saxena and another officer Nagraj Hampole in a forest area. A case of criminal breach of trust and loss to the State exchequer has been filed.

A case of amassing wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income was filed against Eshwarappa, his son K E Kanthesha and daughter-in-law R Shalini. Eshwarappa is accused number 1 and is charged with nepotism. The special court dismissed the petition, stating that the required sanction from competent authority has not been obtained by the complainant.