SC extends stay on probe against former Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa in corruption case

A bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud and comprising Justice Hima Kohli issued a notice to the Karnataka government on a plea by the senior BJP leader.

As senior advocate Siddharth Dave, on behalf of Yeddyurappa, mentioned that the state is not a party to the matter, the bench said we should also have the benefit of assistance from the state even though it is a case related to a private complaint by an activist T J Abraham.

The apex court said its interim order issued on Sept 23 would be extended till further directions.

The Karnataka High Court had, in an order on Sept 7, held that the rejection of the sanction would not come in the way of proceedings against Yediyurappa.

The case is related to an allegation of bribes to the tune of Rs 12 crore to award a BDA contract for a construction firm for a housing complex construction for the government during his tenure as CM in 2019-21.

In the same case, an FIR (First Information Report) was lodged against the former Karnataka CM, his family members, and others on Sept 16.

Although t bench had suspended that probe in the case of Yeddyurappa, the investigation continued against his son B Y Vijayendra, son-in-law Sanjay Shree, and grandson Shashidhar Maradi and others, including Minister S T Somashekar, IhAS officer G C Prakash and businessman K Ravi.