BSY, kin appear in court

Yeddyurappa arrived 15 minutes before the commencement of proceedings.
Yeddyurappa’s counsel tried to set the stage for an exemption plea, stating that the appearance of the former chief minister was causing inconvenience to the public.

He argued that other courts in the City Civil Court complex were being disturbed and provided the potential reason for a future plea seeking exemption from appearance.
Senior counsel, Ravi B Naik, yet again broached the topic of who should be arguing the case for the complainant.

The court had earlier stated that it would issue orders on whether a Special Public Prosecutor should argue the case on behalf of the complainant. The matter has been posted to September 13.

Sidelights
* The Special Lokayukta Court was so crowded that an accused in the case was denied entry, despite fervent pleas saying he was an accused in the case. Ismail Sheriff is accused no. 13 in one of the complaints against Yeddyurappa. Policemen guarding the entrance refused to let him in, thinking he was lying to get inside. Sheriff could be heard saying he was accused no. 11, when in reality he was accused no. 13. He was finally allowed to make his way to the court hall, after senior police officials intervened to let him in.
* Showing solidarity with Yeddyurappa, Minister Renukacharya, former Minister Hartal Halappa and K R Puram MLA Nandish Reddy were present. However, they left hurriedly as the thronging crowds and heat made it unbearable for them.
* As Yeddyurappa and others came to the parking area to leave the premises, lawyers supporting him raised slogans in his favour. Not to be outdone, another group of lawyers quickly gathered and started shouting slogans against him. The police shifted them out of the complex.