HC refuses to quash charges against SMK, HDK

Former chief ministers had challenged private complaints against them

The High Court of Karnataka on Friday refused to quash all the charges against former chief ministers S M Krishna and H D Kumaraswamy alleged in a private complaint filed before the Special Lokayukta Court.

During the hearing of petitions seeking to quash the proceedings before the Lokayukta Court, Justice N Ananda said the probe against Krishna (now, Union Minister for External Affairs) will continue on the Cabinet decision in 2002 to dereserve 6,000 hectares of forest land for illegal mining. The Court, however, quashed the allegations of causing loss to Mysore Minerals Limited by favouring a private firm.

Similarly, the Court ruled that inquiry against H D Kumaraswamy on allegation of approving a mining lease for Sree Sai Venkateshawara Minerals will continue. The charge of Kumaraswamy accepting a bribe of Rs 150 crore from mine owners, was set aside by the Court.

Abraham T J, had filed private complaints in the Special Lokayukta Court accusing three former chief ministers - S M Krishna, Dharam Singh and H D Kumaraswamy - and eleven senior officials of causing huge loss to the exchequer by facilitating illegal mining in the State.

Bigamy petition
The High Court has directed the petitioner to submit more details in connection with a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking disqualification of H D Kumaraswamy as Lok Sabha member.  Shashidhar Belagumba, an advocate, had sought disqualification of Kumaraswamy for his alleged second marriage during the lifetime of his first wife.

The petitioner has referred to Radhika’s admission to the media and its confirmation by Kumaraswamy. 

BJP demands Krishna’s resignation
The BJP on Friday demanded immediate resignation of Union Minister for External Affairs, S M Krishna, in wake of the High Court of Karnataka refusing to quash charges levelled against him in a private complaint.

“If he (Krishna) refuses to resign, the Prime Minister must sack him,” BJP spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad, said in New Delhi. The BJP leader recalled how Congress leaders had started demanding resignation of former chief minister B S Yeddyurappa over corruption charges, wondering why the ruling party at the Centre was now mum on the charges levelled against Krishna. As soon as Court’s order came against Yeddyurappa over the corruption charges against him, the BJP obtained his resignation immediately, added.

The Congress, however, rubbished the charges claiming that there was no mention of Krishna’s name in the 1,200-page report. “Now, merely because some complainant has gone and a notice has been issued to him should not mean there is any stigma attached to it,” Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said.

Speaking to reporters in Bangalore, Krishna said his advocates will take appropriate steps after studying the judgment. He refused to comment whether the order was a setback for him.