HC rejects bail pleas of Katta

The Karnataka High Court today rejected bail applications of former Karnataka minister Katta Subramanya Naidu and his corporator son Jagadish in connection with the KIADB land scam, holding there was prima facie evidence against them.

Terming it as the “biggest scam” of KIADB (Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board), Justice V Jagannathan observed “there is prima facie case against the accused. The star players in the entire episode who conspired together and forged documents.” The judge said he was rejecting the bail applications, including that of third accused S V Srinivas, Managing Director of Itasca Software Company, considering the magnitude of the case and character of evidence collected.

In view of two other accused still absconding, there was a likelihood of tampering with evidence and threatening of witnesses, the court said.

Citing DMK MP Kanimozhi versus CBI case on 2G scam in the Supreme Court, it said bail cannot be granted “in the light of the nature and seriousness of the offence alleged and the huge amount of money involved and every likelihood of evidence being tampered”.

Katta, who was a member of the Yeddyurappa ministry, and other accused are facing charges of irregularities in land allotment of KIADB in B K Halli village to a software company floated by his aide. He had resigned as minister last December after an FIR was filed against him. The Lokayukta court had earlier rejected their bail pleas.

Earlier, senior counsel representing Lokayukta M T Nanaiah submitted that the “status and age of the accused (referring to Katta) cannot be the ground to consider bail application”. Katta is in a hospital. Petitioner’s senior counsel Ravi B Naik said he might explore the option of challenging the order in the Supreme Court after receiving a copy of the order.