Yeddyurappa challenges Lokayukta report in HC

Outgoing Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa today moved the Karnataka High Court for quashing the Lokayukta's report which indicted him in the illegal mining case that eventually cost his job.

In his petition, Yeddyurappa, who resigned following a directive by the party's central leadership in the wake of the submission of the report, questioned the recommendation of the Lokayukta for his prosecution under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Yeddyurappa prayed the court for quashing Chapter 22 of the report, which holds him guilty over the financial transactions between South West Mining Company and Prerana Education Society (PES), a trust owned and managed by his family members in Shimoga.

The recommendations of Lokayukta report concerning this transaction were beyond the scope of reference made by the state government for probing illegal mining in the state.

The recommendation to prosecute him was also violative of a Division Bench order which states that notices should be issued and explanation sought from those coming under the scope of the probe, he contended.

Yeddyurappa pointed out that he was not given a chance to explain his stand by Lokayukta Santosh Hegde.

He also submitted that neither the South West Mining Company or Jindal Steels, whose applications seeking mining leases pending since 2003, have been involved in mining activity in the state.

According to the Lokayukta findings, South West Mining Company had donated Rs 10 crore to the trust while Jindal Steels purchased an acre of land (from the chief minister's family members) on Bangalore outskirts for Rs 20 crore, whereas the guidance value fixed by the government was Rs 1.40 crore.

The petition is expected to be listed for hearing either tomorrow or day after. Yeddyurappa has also filed a petition before the Lokayukta seeking reconsideration of its report.