The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing corruption in the Lokayukta office will challenge the bail granted to Syed Riyaz, suspended Joint Commissioner of Police who was the Lokayukta PRO, one of the prime accused in the case.
The High Court of Karnataka recently granted bail to Riyaz and others in one of the five cases.
Officials claim there is “strong evidence” of Riyaz and Ashwin Y., son of Lokayukta Y. Bhaskar Rao, running a corruption racket and the SIT had obtained statements of more that 100 witnesses in this regard. Bail to Riyaz will cause hindrance to the progress of the case, and there are “strong possibilities” of him using his influence to tamper with the evidences if he is out, a senior police officer said.
The SIT is preparing a document to seek permission from the State government before moving to the Supreme Court to challenge the bail.
So far, the SIT has arrested 11 accused in this case and recorded 170 statements of accused and witnesses. The recent questioning of Mr. Rao has given the police “a good amount of information” about the accused. Mr. Rao’s statement is being corroborated with those of others, said the police.
