Lokayukta scam: Special court rejects Ashwin's bail petitions

Judge finds prima facie evidence against son of Justice Rao

The Lokayukta Special Court on Monday rejected the bail application of Yerabati Ashwin, the son of Lokayukta Justice Y Bhaskar Rao, in a case of extortion (FIR 58/2015) based on a complaint filed by P B Channabasappa, an executive engineer with Upper Tunga project in Haveri.

It also rejected his application for anticipatory bail in another extortion case (FIR (56/2015) based on a complaint by M N Krishnamurthy, an executive engineer with Bengaluru zilla panchayat. The judge, V G Bopaiah, found prima facie evidence against Ashwin, according to Special Public Prosecutor K Janardan.

“The court said that the case against Ashwin is still in the initial stage of investigation and that prima facie, a case has been made out against him. It ruled that it would not be proper to grant him bail under these circumstances,” Janardan said, quoting the court order. The court remanded Ashwin in judicial custody till August 27.

Remanded
Meanwhile, the court also remanded V Bhaskar, a prime suspect in the Lokayukta extortion racket, in judicial custody for 10 days as his police custody ended on Monday. The Special Investigating Team (SIT) produced him before the court.

Bhaskar requested that he be allowed home food as he is diabetic. The judge directed the superintendent of Central Prison, Bengaluru, to get him medically examined in the jail hospital and take steps as per rules.

The SIT contended that Bhaskar’s voice sample has been sent for forensic analysis. Sources suggested that he spoke to several public servants in the last two years and his voice analysis test would be crucial. He is yet to move an application for bail, a senior advocate said.
 
Another suspect held, 3rd FIR filed
The Special Investigation Team (SIT), which is enquiring into corruption and extortion within the Lokayukta institution, has arrested Mohammed Sadiq Basha on a complaint filed by businessman-turned-politician P N Krishnamurthy. The Lokayukta Special Court remanded him in police custody for three days.

The SIT arrested Basha near Orion Mall in Bengaluru on Sunday evening. Sources said that Krishnamurthy had met Sadiq and Bhaskar in at least six hotels in the City. He also claimed to have bribed Bhaskar and Basha for changing the khata of his property in Koramangala.

The third FIR in the extortion racket also names Ashwin, Syed Riyaz, the suspended Joint Commissioner (PRO) in the Lokayukta, Bhaskar, Narasimha Rao and others. Meanwhile, Riyaz has moved an application for anticipatory bail in this case.
The court directed the special public prosecutor to file objections, if any.