No move to arrest Naidu unless he violates conditions: Hegde

Replying to a question at a function on why Naidu had not been arrested so far, he said "the question of arrest arises only if he is absconding, not cooperate with investigation, if he destroyed evidence or interfered in the probe."

"If such a situation arises, we have the authority to arrest. As of now there is no move to arrest the minister," he told PTI over telephone later.

Hedge also dismissed reports in a section of the media that he proposed a move to arrest Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa against whom Lokayukta is probing allegations of denotification and land allotment in favour of relatives.

"There is no FIR against the Chief Minister, where is the question of arresting him?" he asked.

The Lokayukta had registered an FIR against Naidu and his associates after it found evidence in the Karnataka Industrial Area Development Board (KIADB) land scam.

The FIR points to irregularities in allotment of 385 acres to ITASCA Software Company, floated by an aide of Naidu.

Katta Subramanya Naidu resigned from the post of IT and BT minister on December 3, a day after the Lokayukta filed an FIR against him over a land deal.