New twist in graft tale against ex-CM

Former Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today told the High Court that sanction given for a civil contract during his tenure, on which a graft case was filed against him, had been upheld by a division bench earlier.

Yeddyurappa’s counsel told Justice L Narayana Swamy that a division bench had held the contract was “lawfully given” and sought time to place the judgment copy before him. The judge then adjourned to September 15 hearing on the anticipatory bail plea by Yeddyurappa in the case pertaining to a private complaint filed by JD(S) MLC and party spokesman Y S V Datta for alleged corruption.

According to the complaint, two firms owned by the two sons and son-in-law of Yeddyurappa allegedly received a kickback of Rs 13 crore from a company for the award of a civil contract for the second stage of the Upper Bhadra Irrigation Project during his tenure as Chief Minister.

Datta alleged that this company had been awarded the contract despite being the higher bidder for the work, and was favoured, contrary to tender norms which said it should be given to the lowest bidder. The Lokayukta police has already filed an FIR against Yeddyurappa under the Prevention of Corruption Act on charges of “favouring” R N Shetty and Jyothi Ltd in the project.